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empreinte. 

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cas:  le  symbols  —►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

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'■''tmmiimiiiiMt.t, 


^'mitt  t'OOiiituumttittk 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


OF  THE 


Most  Rev.  John  Carroll, 

BISHOP  AND  PIPST  AHOHBISHbP  OP  BALTIMORE. 


o 

Si 


Ed 


EMBRACING  THE 


HISTORY   OF  THE   CATHOLIC   CHURCH 


-M,*       IN  THE 


1763-1815. 


■< 

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WITH    PORTRAITS,    VIEWS,    AND    FAC-SIMILES. 


BV 


JOHN    GILMARY    SHEA. 


NEW  YORK: 

JOHN     G.     SHEA, 

1888. 


COPVRIOHT,    1888,    BY 
JOHN    GILMARY    SHEA. 


The  illuitrations  in  ihit  work  are  cofyrighfed,  and  reproduction  is/orbidden. 


Edward  O.  Jknkins'    Sons, 

Printers  and  Elecirotvptn^ 

30  North  William  Street,  New  York. 


TO  THE  PATRONS 

His  Eminence,  John  Cardinal  McCloskey;  His  Eminence 
James  Cardinal  Gibbons;  their  Graces,  the  Most  STm  A 

COBRIO^,   D.D.;  JOHN  J.   WiLUAMS,   D.D. ;  PATRICK  J. '^i' 

wJ^n'  ^'""i^^^  ^-  ^'««^«'  ^•^-  B.  J.  McQuAiD,  DD  • 
John  Conrov  D.D.;  John  Ireland,  D.D. ;  John  L.  SpIldino' 
D.D. ;  James  Augustine  Healy,  D.D. ;  P.  T  O'Eeilly  D  D  ' 
Eichard  Gilmour,  D.D.;   Stephen  V.  Eyan,  D.D.;  HenrV 

S™       Z  ^-   ^^'''''    ^•^•'   ^^N^«   M.    Bradley,    DD- 
Boniface  Wimmer,  D.D.-  Et.  Eev.  Mors.  Wm.  Quinn- T  s' 

iTuKcLiTV-  '''''^^;  ■'^^^^-  Corcoran;  VERY  Eevs! 
I.  T.  Heoker;  Michael  D.  Lilly,  O.P.  ;  Eobert  Fulton.  S  J  • 

T.  STEFANINI,  C.  p. ;  Eevs.  A.  J.  DoNNELLY ;  E.  AND  P.  McSWEEi,' 

T  '  ^  .:  ^^«^«="''  !>•»• ;  John  Edwards;  C.  McCready- 
q''?^.  T  ^''a'^^'"  ^-  ^-  »o^«H=«rY;  W.  Everett;  Thomas 
T.™  n  ^™«' J-  ^-  Kearney;  J.  J.  Hughes;  Thomas 
Taappe;  Charles  P.  O'Connor,  D.D.;  P.  Corbigan;  William 
McDonald;  Patrick  Hennessey;  Laurence  Morris;  John 
McKenna;  M.  J.  Br  ,phy;  St.  Joseph's  Seminary,  Troy-  Sr 
JOHNS  College,  Fordham;  The  Congregation  op  the  Most 
Holy  Eedeemer,  New  York;  St.  Louis  University;  St 
Xaviers  College,  Cincinnati;  Messrs.  Patrick  Farrelly- 
Bryan    Laurence;    David    Ledwith  ;    Jose   F.    Navarro- 

FnwTro^i?"'^'''    ^"^"^    ^-    ^°«^=^'     E^«^^«    KelS; 
Edward  C.  Donnelly;  John  Johnson;  William  E.  Grace^ 

Charles  Donahoe;  W.  H.  Onahan;  Pustet  &  Co. ;  Benz^ger 
^HoU  """^  ^"°^"'  ^^^^'  ^^^=«  *  Co.;  Hardy  & 

BY  WHOSE  REQUEST  AND  AID  THIS  WORK  HAS  BEEN  UNDERTAKEN, 
THE  PRESENT  VOLUME  IS  RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED. 


Tf. 

States 

Louisi 

1763 

period 

of  the 

bishop 

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native 

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with  h; 

The 

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of  his 

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bee  to 

Canada 

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archive! 


PREFACE. 


Tf.e  volume  here  offered  to  the  patrons  of  the  work  em- 
brp.oes  the  History  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  United 
States,  m  the  original  diocese  of  Baltimore  and  in  that  of 
Lomsiana  and   the   Floridas,  carrying  the   narrative   from 
1763  to  1815.     In  the  growth  of  Catholicity  during  that 
penod  the  Most  Reverend  John  Carroll,  Prefect-Apostolic 
of  the  United  States,  Bishop  of  Baltimore,  and  first  Arch- 
bishop of  that  See,  stands  as  a  noble  and  central  figure  for 
nearly  thirty  years  of  that  half  century  the  controlling  and 
guiding  mind  in  the  affairs  of  the  Church.     Only  during 
the  last  decade  of  colonial  days  was  he  absent  from  his 
native  land :   then  his  priestly  labors  began ;   he  witnessed 
the  struggle  for  national  existence,  full  of  patriotic  sympathy 
and  giving  his  country's  cause  all  the  support  compatible 
witli  his  sacred  calling. 

The  efforts  of  Bishop  Challoner  at  an  early  date  to  be 
relieved  of  his  responsibility  for  the  transathntic  portion 
of  his  flock,  and  to  obtain  the  appointment  of  a  Vicar- 
Apostolic  :  the  difficulties  that  arose,  and  the  subsequent 
project  of  extending  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Bishop  of  Que- 
bec to  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  when  the  conquest  of 
Canada  had  brought  all  Northern  America  under  the  British 
sway,  have  never  yet  been  made  known.  Researches  in  the 
archives  in  England,  Canada,  and  Rome,  for  which  I  am 

(11) 


19 


PREFACE. 


especially  indebted  to  His  Eminence  Cardinal  Tascherean, 
Canon  Johnson,  Very  Rev.  H.  Van  den  Sanden,  and  Very 
Rev.  Charles  A.  Vissani,  O.S.F.,  have  enabled  me  to  give  a 
connected  account  of  this  interesting  movement.  For  the 
history  of  the  Church  in  this  country  at  that  period  I  have 
drawn  mainly  on  the  archives  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  and 
on  a  series  of  letters  by  Father  Joseph  Mosley,  which  I  owe 
to  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Alex.  T.  Knight. 

The  part  taken  by  Catholics  during  the  Revolution  had 
been  so  strangely  misrepresented,  that  it  was  necessary  to 
present  the  truth  distinctly,  and  to  give  some  notes  of  the 
action  of  the  Chaplain  of  the  French  embassy,  as  well  as  of 
what  little  can  be  ascertained  of  the  clergymen  who  accom- 
panied the  French  army  and  fleets.  The  part  taken  by  the 
Catholics  northwest  of  the  Ohio  could  not  be  overlooked. 
Documents  obtained  from  the  late  Father  Freitag,  C.SS.R., 
the  Quebec  Archives,  the  Registers  of  Detroit,  Vincennes, 
Fort  Chartres,  and  Kaskaskia  have  been  used  carefully. 

After  the  Revolution  the  organization  of  the  Clergy,  the 
steps  taken  to  obtain  an  Ecclesiastical  superior,  the  strange 
intrigue  to  place  this  country  under  a  bishop  to  reside  in 
France,  and  the  final  appointment  of  Dr.  Carroll  as  Prefect- 
Apostolic,  are  presented  at  length  by  the  aid  of  the  Maryland 
records,  extracts  from  the  archives  of  France  and  Spain,  for 
which  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  Robert  de  Crevecoeur,  and  the 
Hon.  J.  S.  M.  Curry,  TJ.  S.  Minister  to  the  Court  of  Spain, 
and  to  Seiior  Santa  Maria,  Custodian  of  the  Archives. 

The  correspondence  and  papers  of  Archbishop  Carroll  from 
1785,  for  which  I  am  greatly  indebted  to  the  late  Rev. 
Charles  I.  White,  D.D.,  and  Bernard  U.  Campbell,  and  to 
the  unceasing  kindness  of  His  Eminence  Cardinal  Gibbons, 
have  been  the  guide  in  tracing  his  Episcopal  career,  with 
the  archives  of  the  Maryland  province,  the  writings  of 


PREFACE. 


t8 


Messrs.  Dilhet  and  Tessier  of  Saint  Sulpice  and  documente 
placed  at  my  disposal  by  Very  Rev.  A.  L.  Magnien,  Supe- 
nor  of  St.  Mary's,  Baltimore,  as  well  as  local  information 
and  notes  from  many  sources.  I  am  indebted  for  important' 
aid  to  the  Fathers  of  the  University  College,  Dublin,  and  to 
the  Provincial  o:  the  English  Province,  as  well  as  to  Wm.  S. 
Preston,  Esq.,  and  the  late  Ambrose  A.  White. 

For  the  illustrations  I  have  given  credit  in  various  parts 
of  the  work,  but  I  must  express  special  indebtedness  for  in- 
formation  and  aid  to  Miss  E.  C.  Brent,  of  Washington,  to 
the  Weld  family  of  Lulworth  Castle,  as  well  as  to  the  Car- 
melite nuns,  S.  M.  Sener,  Esq.,  and  Professor  J.  F.  Edwards 
and  his  great  work,  "The  Bishops'  Memorial  Hall,"  at  the 
University  of  Notre  Dame,  Indiana. 

To  Major  Edmond  MaUet,  Oscar  W.  Collet,  Kev.  W.  P. 
Treacy,  as  well  as  to  Right  Rev.  John  Moore,  D.D.,  Bishop 
of  St.  Augustine,  and  Right  Rev.  Camillus  P.  Maes,  D.D., 
Bisliop  of  Covington,  and  Most  Rev.  Cornelius  O'Brien,  D.D.,' 
Archbishop  of  Halifax,  and  the  Most  Rev.  Michael  A.  Corri- 
gan,  D.D.,  Archbishop  of  New  York,  I  return  thanks  for 
constant  and  valuable  assistance. 

John  Gilmaby  Shea. 
Elizabeth,  N.  J.,  July  22, 1888. 


LIFE 
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CONTENTS. 


BOOK  I. 

"IHD  OF  THB  BEY.  JOHN  CARROLL  TO  ni8  CONSKORATION  AS 
BI8HOP  OK  BALTIMORE  -  THE  CATHOLIC  CHCBCH  IK  THE 
-ENGLISH   COLONIES  AND  THE    UNITED   STATES,    1763-1790. 

CHAPTER  I. 

HIS  LTFB  TO  HIS  RETURN  TO  MARTLAND  IN  1774 

^'Ttlf  Om"r"V?'"^.'''  *"'  ^hurch-Blrth-AtBohemia- 

-Professed  Father-Jesuits  expelled  from  France-At  Bru«S 
-Makes  a  Tour  with  Hon.  Mr.  8tourton-Tho  Society^JT 
pressed  by  Pope  Clement  XIV.-HUreatment  of  thTje  ulUat 
A  ufd^i^^rw  ''r''^-^^  '«  England-Cha^ainrioM 


CHAPTER  n. 

RKLIOION  m  THE  BRITISH   COLONIES.    1768-1774 

"""vllllSot'o?  r  T'^'f  '^  Wm-J„risdietion  ^f  the 
vjcars-Apostohc  of  London-Powers  to  Bishop  Petre-Blshoo 

a  Bhl  or  vr"'r'''  ^'^'"  *«  ^  '•''"-'d  -'^  to  have 
!ltinn    P,        y'^^^'-AP^^tolic  appointed  for  AmericP,-Opp«^ 

^ie7ifMarv  In"  r^";  p'"  tWs  project -Labors  of  the  Mission- 
-Newto?  "^1"^  ""'^  «Pf"°«y'-«'>'«-Frederiek-Port  Tobacco 

-Pattr  1?  oT"''  """'"^''''Pt  Missals-Father  Mosley 

-Father  Farmer-Church  begun  in  Baltimore-Catholic  Hiil 
landers  on  the  Mohawk-.Jesuits  notified  by  Bishop  Sot; 
lTl!?^"""'"'7^'''  *i"«^^  ^^'-^'^-  John  Can^Ub^ 
Bri  ish  rt"  V  ""?  Creek-Catholicity  in  Florida  under 
rl^TuvT'*''^'  retire -Turnbull's  colony  of  Minor- 
cans.  Italians,  and  Greeks-Dr.  Camps  and  Father  CasasnoTi 

(16) 


2S 


16 


CONTENTS. 


— Ill-treatment  of  Minorcans — Catholicity  in  the  Country  north- 
west of  the  Ohio — Rights  under  Treaty— Toleration  of  Catho- 
lics—  Fathers  Bocquet  and  Collet  —  Fathers  du  Jaunay  and 
Potier — Father  Meurin  returns— Bishop  Briand's  Pastoral  to 
the  People  of  Kaskaskia— Rev.  Peter  Gibault  47 


It 


CHAPTER  III. 

TETE  QUEBEC  ACT  AND  ITS  IKFLtJENCB  ON  THE  ENOLIBH  COLONIES. 

The  Country  northwest  of  the  Ohio  under  Military  Rule— Passage 
of  the  Quebec  Act— Opposition  in  England — Excitement  in  the 
Thirteen  Colonies — Insult  to  Bust  of  King— The  trouble  sub- 
sides—First printing  of  Books  for  Catholics 181 

CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  CHURCH  AND  CATHOLICS  DURING  THE  REVOLUTIONARY  WAB. 

The  Catholics  and  their  Priest  driven  from  the  Mohawk— Canadi- 
ans espouse  the  American  Cause  —  Catholic  Regiments — A 
Priest  appointed  Chaplain  by  the  Continental  Congress  — 
Washington  suppresses  "  Pope-Day  "—Rev.  John  Carroll  ac- 
companies Commissioners  to  Canada— Catholic  OflJcers  and 
Soldiers— Catholic  Indians  —  Catholicity  under  the  Constitu- 
tions of  the  several  States  — Rev.  Mr.  Mosley's  Cace- Rev. 
Messrs.  De  Rittc  and  Fanr.er— Tory  Papers  and  Benedict  Ar- 
nold denounce  the  Patriots  for  tolerating  Catholics— A  pro- 
jected Royal  Regiment  of  Roman  Catholic  Volunteers— Its  ut- 
ter failure — Catholic  Ambassadors  from  France  and  Spain — 
Father  Bandol's  Discourse  before  Congress— d'Estaing's  Ad- 
dress—Rochambeau's  Army- French  Chaplains— Father  H. 
de  la  Motte— Religion  in  the  Northwest — Gibault's  Services  to 
the  American  Cause— Catholicity  restored  at  Natchez,  Mobile, 
and  Pensacola — The  Minorcans  revolt  and  remove  to  St,  Au- 
gustine— Missionary  Labors  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania— 
F.  Bandol's  Address  on  the  Capture  of  Comwallis 141 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE  CLEROT  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  SOLICIT  A  SUPERIOR  FROM  THE 
POPE— THE  FRENCH  INTRIGUE- DR.  CARROLL'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH 
WHARTON — UB  IS  APPOINTED  PREFECT-APOSTOLIC. 

Death  of  Bishop  Challoner— Bishop  Talbot  declines  to  exercise  Ju- 
risdiction in  the  United  States— Arrival  of  Rev.  Leonard  Neale 
—Meeting  of  Clergy  at  Whitemarsh— A  Plan  of  Government 
proposed— Petition  to  the  Pope  for  a  Superior  drawn  up  and 


VERY 


181 


141 


CONTENTS. 

aent— Scheme  to  place  Catholics  in  the  United  States  under  a 
Bishop  to  reside  in  France  and  to  be  nominated  by  the  King 
--Franklin  beguiled  into  supporting  the  Scheme-The  Nun- 
cios  iVote-Congress  declines  to  act-Frank'In  disabused  rec- 
ommends Rev.  John  Carroll  -  Information  requested  from 
him-He  is  appointed  Prefect-Limits  of  his  Jurisdiction- 
Kev.  Mr.  Wharton  renounces  the  Faith  and  issues  an  Address 
-Rev.  John  Carroll  pubhshes  a  Reply  -  Catholic  Books 
pnnted  in  the  Country-The  Form  of  Government  adopted- 
Kev.  Mr.  Carroll  receives  official  notice  of  his  appointment 
and  a  Letter  from  Cardinal  Antonelli-His  restricted  powers. . 

CHAPTER  VL 


17 


204 


VERY     BEV.     JOHN    CARROLI,,     PREFECT  -  APOSTOLIC    OF    THE     UNITED 

8TATEC,  1784-1790. 
His  Views  as  to  the  Situation-Letter  to  Cardinal  Antonelli-Rela- 
tion  of  the  State  of  Religion  in  the  United  States- Growth  of 
Religion -Congregation  at  New  York  and  Father  Charles 
Whelan-8t.  John  de  Crevecoeur— Spanish  Chaplain— Gem  , 
Priests— Catholics  emigrate  to  Kentucky— Fathers  de  8t  Pie., 
and  de  Rohan-The  Very  Rev.  Prefect  begins  his  Visitation- 
l<irst  Confirmation— Troubles  in  New  York— Death  of  Rev 
Messrs.   Geisler  and  Farmer-Spanish  Minister  lays  Corner- 
stone of  St.  Peter's  Church,  New  York-Dr.  Carroll  decides  to 
take  up  his  Residence  in  Baltimore-Hagerstown-Remarkable 
Conversion  of  Mr.   Livingston-Conewago-Goshenhoppen- 
Larhsle-Greensburg-Rev.  Mr.  Mosley  and  bis  Chapel  of  St 
Joseph— The  General  Chapter— Allowance  to  Dr.  Carroll-He 
urges  the  establishment  of  an  Academy— Plan  adopted— Op- 
position-The  beginning  of  Georgetown  College-Rev    Pat- 
rick Smyth-His  Attack  on  Dr.  Carroll  and  the  associated 
Clergy-A  Church  begun  in  Boston— Rev.  C.  F.  de  la  Poterie— 
Rev.  Mr.  Ryan  at  Charleston.  S.  C.-Canon  Cleary  in  North 
Carolina— The  Germans  withdraw  from  St.  Mary's,  Philadel- 
phia and  begin  Holy  Trinity-Deaths  of  Rev.  Messrs.  Mosley 
and  Lewis-Trouble  in  New  York-Dr.  Carroll's  authoritv  de- 
fled-Necessity  of  a  Bishop-Petition  fo  the  Pope  for  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  Bishop-Application  forwarded  by  the  Spanish 
Government^The  Pope  permits  Clergy  in  the  United  States  to 
nominate  the  first  Bishop  and  fix  the  place  for  a  8ee-Dr  Car- 
roll nominated  as  Bishop  of  Baltimorc-The  Choice  approved 
-Bui  erecting  the  See  of  Baltimore  and  appointing  Rev.  John 
Carroll  first  Bishop-The  Constitution  of  the  United  States 


18  CONTENTS. 

prohibits  Religious  Tests— The  Honor  due  to  Charles  Pinckney 
—Opposition— Amendment  prohibiting  the  establishment  of  a 
Religion  or  preventing  the  free  exercise  of  any  or  infringe- 
ment of  Rights  of  Conscience— The  Catholic  Address  to  George 
Washington— His  Reply— Dr.  Carroll  decides  to  go  to  Europe 
for  Consecration— Consecrated  by  Bishop  Walmesley  in  the 
Chapel  of  Lulworth  Castle— His  Seal— Publishes  an  Account 
of  the  Establishment  of  the  See— His  Letter  to  Pope  Pius  VI. 


249 


BOOK  II. 

EIGHT  RKV.  JOHN  CARROLL,  D.D.,  BISHOP  OF  BALTIMORE,  1790- 
1808 — ADMINISTRATOR  OF  LOUISIANA,  1805  —  ARCHBISHOP 
OF  BALTIMORK,   1808-1815. 

CHAPTER  I. 

RIGHT  RET.  JOHN  CARROLL,  BISHOP  OF  BALTIMORE— ADMINISTRATION, 
1790-1800— APPOINTMENT  OF  RIGHT  RET.  L.  GRAES8EL,  COADJUTOR 
—OF  RIGHT  REV.   LEONARD  NEALE,    COADJUTOR. 

Installation  in  Baltimore— Address— Attempt  to  have  a  Bishop  at 
Oneida— Publication  of  Catholic  Books— The  Bible— The  Sul- 
pitians  propose  to  come  to  the  United  States— Rev.  Francis 
Charles  Nagot— Establishment  in  Baltimore— Extent  of  Dio- 
cese defined- Carmelite  Nuns  of  Antwerp  found  a  Convent  at 
Port  Tobacco— Condition  of  Diocese— Rev.  John  Thayer  and 
his  Conversion  — Stationed  at  Boston  — His  Controversies- 
Bishop  Carroll  in  Boston  —  The  Passamacjuoddies  ask  for  a 
Priest— Rev.  Francis  Ciquard— First  Diocesan  Synod  of  Balti- 
more—Circular on  Christian  Marriage  —  Pastoral  Letter- 
Bishop's  reply  to  Strictures  on  his  Signature— A  Coadjutor  so- 
licited—Form of  Oath— Arrival  of  French  Priests— First  Ordi- 
nation—Yellow Fever- Death  of  Right  Rev.  Ijawrence  Qraes- 
sel,  Coadjutor-elect— Father  Fleming  and  his  Defence  of  Cath- 
olic Truth— His  Death— Poor  Clares  and  other  Religious— The 
Public  Library,  Baltimore— Right  Rev.  Leonard  Neale  pro- 
posed as  Coadjutor— An  Orphan  Asylum— Miss  Alice  Lalor 
and  the  origin  of  the  Visitation  Nuns— Rev.  John  Floyd  at 
Fell's  Point— Schism  at  Trinity  Church,  Philadelphia- Father 
Renter  and  the  Schism  in  Baltimore  —  The  Augustinians 
—Lancaster— New  York— The  Irish  Dominicans— Rev.  Peter 
H.  La  Valinii^re- Church  in  A. ..any— New  England— Rev. 
Messrs.  Matignon  and  Cheverus— Prosecution  of  Rev.  John 


CONTENTlr^ 

Cheverus-Prince  GalHtzin-His  OrdinaJor.  and  Pennsylvania 
Mission-The  Bishop  of  Louisiana-CliarlestGn.  8.  C  -Georcia 
-Country  nortliwest  of  tlie  Oliio-Bishop  Hubeit-Rev  P  Gi 
bault-Detroit-Rev.  Edmund  Burlce-Tlie  Prefecture-Apos- 
tolic of  tlie  Scioto-Very  Rev.  Dom.  Didier.  OS.B-SiLi- 
tmns  in  the  West-Rev.  Donatien  Olivier-Rev.  B.  J.  Flaffet- 
Rey.  John  F.  Rivet-Rev.  Gabriel  Richard-Church  in  Vir 
ginia-Visitation  in  Pennsylvania-Church  in  New  Jersey 


19 


869 


CHAPTER  II. 


BIGHT    BEV, 


JOHN    CARROLL,     BISHOP    OF    BALTIMORB  -  RIGHT    REV 
LEONARD  NEALE,   COADJDTOK,    1800-1806. 

Consecration  of  Bishop  Neale-A  Franciscan  Province-Father 
Paccanari-The  Pious  Ladies-Church  at  Natchez-Bishop 
Carroll  dedicates  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Cross,  Boston-Mar 
nage  of  Jerome  Bonaparte -Churches  in  Georgetown  and 
Washmgton-The  former  Jesuit  Fathers  in  Maryland  unite 
Suirior  ^°7^y '".K^-'^-Rev.  Robert  Molyneux  appointed 
Supenor- Church  in  Kentucky  -  Rev.  8.  T.  Badin-Rev 
Charles  Nerinckx-The  Trappists-First  brick  Church-The 
Dominicans-PlansforaCathedral-An  aged  Priest-Cession 
of  Louisiana-Bishop  Carroll  appointed  Administrator 493 

CHAPTER  III. 

THE   CHURCH  IN  LODI8IANA,    1763-1793. 

The  Bishop  of  Santiago  de  Cuba-The  Capuchins-Father  Cyril 

de   Barcelona  and  Spanish  Religious-Churches  restored  at 

•        ^.''^'•»«^'  Mobile.  Pensacola-Right  Rev.  Cyril  de  Barcelona, 

Bishop  of  Tricali  and  Auxiliar  of  Cuba,  1781-1793-His  visita- 

n?«'-7  xt'^"^"'""*'""''^-  '^'""°'»«  Hassett  and  Rev.  M 
OReilly-Natchez,  New  Orleans-Church  destroyed  by  Fire 
-Rebuilt  by  Almonaster-The  Ursulines- Bishop  Cyril  re- 
moyed-Erection  of  Diocese  of  Louisiana  and  the  Floridas- 
Kight  Rev.  Luis  Peiialver  y  Cardenas,  first  Bishop,  1793-1801 
-His  Reports  and  Labors-Right  Rev.  Francis  Porro  y  Peinado 
-Cession  of  Louisiana  to  France  and  then  to  the  United  States 
-Rev.  Thomas  Hassett,  Administrator-His  Report-The  Ursu- 
incs-Death  of  Canon  Hassett-Very  Rev.  P.  Walsh,  Adminis- 
tni tor-Father  Anthony  Sedella  and  his  Schism-Bishop  Car- 
roll appoints  Rev  John  Olivier  Vicar-General-Sedella  refuses 
to  acknowledge  him-St.  Louis  and  St.  Genevieve-Brief  em! 
powering  Bishop  Carroll  to  appoint  Rev.  C.  Nerinckx  or  a^- 

other  Priest  Administrator  ... .  ,,„ 

540 


20 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

DIOCESE  OF  BALTIMORE,    1806-180P 

Bishop  Carroll  lays  Cornerstone  of  Cathedral  —  B.  H.  Latrobe, 
Architect — St.  Patrick's  Church  erected  by  Rev.  Mr.  Morau- 
ville — St.  Mary's  erected  by  the  Sulpiiians — The  division  of 
the  Diocese — Georgetown  College — The  Sulpitians  recalled — 
St.  Mary's  College — Pius  VII.  advises  Rev.  Mr.  Emery  not  to 
give  up  Baltimore — Pigeon  Hills — Church  in  New  England — 
St.  Patrick's  built  at  Damariscotta,  Maine— The  Visitation 
Nuns  —  Georgetown  College  —  Clergymen  proposed  for  new 
Sees 


698 


CHAPTER  V. 

DrVISION  OF  THE  DIOCESE  OF  BALTIMORE  —  ERECTION  OF  THE  SEES 
OF  BOSTON,  NEW  YORK,  PHILADELPHIA,  AND  BARD8T0WN  —  LAST 
DAYS  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL,    1808-1815. 

Bishop  Concanen — His  endeavors  to  leave  Italy — Death  at  Naples — 
Death  of  Very  Rev.  Robert  Molyneux — Father  Kohlmann  ap- 
pointed Vicar-General  and  subsequently  Administrator  of  New 
York — Delay  in  the  arrival  of  the  Bulls  erecting  the  new  Sees 
— Consecration  of  Bishops  Cheverus,  Egan,  and  Flagct — Pas- 
toral of  Archbishop  Carroll  and  his  Suffragans — Arrangements 
for  the  maintenance  of  the  Bishops — Louisiana — Rev.  Mr.  Si- 
bourd  sent — The  Canadian  Border — Mount  St.  Mary's  College 
— Mrs.  Seton  and  the  Sisters  of  Charity — Archbishop  Carroll, 
Administrator  of  Dutch  and  Danish  West  India  Islands — Cor- 
respondence with  the  English  Hierarchy — Invested  with  tho 
Pallium— A  Provincial  Council  proposed — Bishops  Flaget  and 
Egan  -  Questions — War  with  England — Archbishop's  Circular 
— Rev.  Gabriel  Richard,  a  Prisoner — New  Churches — Te  Deum 
for  restoration  of  Pope  Pius  VII. — Archbishop's  Pastoral — 
Washington  and  Baltimore— St.  Inigoes  pillaged— Death  of 
Bishop  Egan — Archbishop's  Circular  on  proposing  Candidates- 
Interference  in  Europe — Appointment  of  Bishop  Connolly  of 
New  York — Attacks  made  on  Archbishop  Carroll — Restoration 
of  the  Society  of  Jesus  —  Georgetown  College  —  Very  Rev. 
William  Du  Bourg  appointed  Administrator  of  Louisiana — 
Victory  at  New  Orleans — Very  Rev.  Mr.  Sil)ourd,  V.G. — 
Archbishop  Carroll  sustains  him — Illness  and  Death  of  Arch- 
bishop Carroll — His  obsequies — Estimates  of  his  Character  and 
Work 621 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


05 


Chapel  at  Lulworth  Castle 
England,  where  Bishop  Car- 
roll was  consecrated.  Front- 
ispiece. 

House  at  Upper  Marlborough, 
Md.,  where  Archbishop  Car- 
roll was  born.  From  a  wa- 
ter-color made  by  W.  Sey- 
mour in  1883 .    24 

Jesuit  College  at  Lii^ge,  where 
Carroll  studied  and  taught...     83 

Eleanor  Darnall  Carroll,  moth- 
er of  Archbishop  Carroll  . .      45 

lit  Rev.  Richard  Challoner, 
Bishop  of  Debra,  V.  A.  of 
tlie  London  District 53 

StJIary's  Church  at  Lancaster 
Pa 

Fac-simile  of  a  page' of  Father 
Schneider's  manuscript  Mis- 
sal      _  _ 

Bishop  Challoner's  Notiflcatioii 
to  the  Maryland  Missionaries 
of  the  Suppression  of  the  So- 
ciety  

Church  of  St.  Ignatius,'  St.  'ini- 

goes,  Md 

Seal  of  Church  of  St.'  Peter  at 
Mosquito.  Fla..  and  signature 

of  Rev.  Dr.  Camps 

Signatures  of  Fathers  Meurin 

and  Luke  Collet us 

Signature  of  Rev.  Peter  GibaulV.  124 
Signature  of  Rev.  Francis  Louis 

tUmrtier  de  Lotbini(^re 
Signature  of  Rev.  John  B.  de 

Hitter 

Invitation  of  French  Minister  to 

attend  the  Te  Deum 

Discours  prononce,  ....  par 

leR.  P.  Seraphin  Bandot.  178-4 
Signature  of  Rev.  H.  de  la  Motte  180 


67 


79 

84 


94 


144 
163 
171 


195 


197 


. .  203 


208 


Rt  Rev.  John  Francis  Hubert, 
Bishop  of  Quebec 185 

Chapel  in  the  fort  at  St.  Aun-us- 
tme,  defaced  by  the  English. 

Signatures  of  Revs.  Robert 
Molyneux  and  Ignatius  Mat- 
thews   

Signature  of  Father  ' Seraphin 
Bandol jgo 

Fac-simileof  Register  of  Father 

i!  armer g^g 

Chalice  used  by  Archbishop 
Carroll,  from  the  original  at 

iVotre  Dame,  Ind 

Portrait  of  Archbishop  Carroil 
from  the  painting  by  Paul  • 
engraved  by  Tanner.  To  face.'  am 
Signature  of  Cardinal  Antonelli  224 
Signature    of   Rev.   L.   Graes- 

sel    2'yn 

Signature  of  Rev.  Paul  de  St! 

Pierre 2.^2 

Signature  of  Rev.  P."  Huet  de 

la  valiniere 283 

St.  Peter's  Church,  New  York, 

from  Colton's  engraving 
Rev.   D.   Cahill's   Chapel  and 

House,  Ha^erstown,  Md 

Site    of    Liviiig.ston's    House 
Drawn  by  James  B.  Taylor 
Church  of    the   Sacred  Heart 

and  Residence,  Conewago 
Signature  of  Rev.  James  Pel- 

lentz 

Rev.  Joseph  Mosl'ey's"  cimpe'l 
House,  —  Elevation,     297  • 

Ground  Plan '293 

Commencement   of    tlie    Bull 
erecting  the  See  of  Baltimore  338 

Close  of  the  Bull 344 

^V.S®^-  Charles  Walmesley! 
D.D.,  V.A.,  Bishop  of  Rama.  856 

(21) 


284 
288 
289 
293 
294 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAOR 

Interior  of  the  Chapel  at  Lul- 
wortb  Castle,  where  Bishop 
Carroll  was  consecrated 868 

Orouud  Plan  of  Chapel  at  Lul- 
wortb  Castle 360 

Rear  Entrance  to  Chapel  at 
Lulworth  Oastle        862 

Certitlcate  of  the  Consecration 
of  Bishop  Carroll 8&* 

Seal  of  Archbishop  Carroll 865 

Crucifix  brought  from  Rome  by 
Rev.  John  Carroll 868 

The  Rt.  Rev.  John,  Bishop  of 
Baltimore,  from  the  London 
engraving  of  1790     870 

St.  Mary's  College  and  Seminary  881 

Portrait  of  Afother  Frances 
Dickinson 884 

Signature  of  Mother  Frances 
Dickinson 885 

Signature  of  Rev.  Francis  Bee- 
ston 400 

Signatures  of  Rev.  Anthony 
Gamier  and  Wm.  Du  Bourg.  406 

Signature  of  Father  Matthew 
Carr,  O.S.A 426 

First  Catholic  Church  in  Al- 
bany, N.  Y 488 

Signature  of  Rev.  Francis  A. 
Matignon 442 

Signature  of  Rev.  Prince  De- 
metrius A.  Qallitzin 448 

Portrait  of  Rev.  Prince  Deme- 
trius A.  Gallitzin 446 

Signature  of  Rev.  P.  X.  Bro- 
sius 444 

Signature  of  Rt.  Rev.  Luis  Pe- 
fialver  y  C&rdenas,  Bishop  of 
Louisiana 460 

Portrait  and  Signature  of  V. 
Rev.  Edmund  Burke,  V.Q., 
afterward  Bishop  of  Sion, 
and  V.  A.  of  Nova  Scotia. . .  476 

Signatiu-es  of  Rev.  Messrs.  Ja- 
nin  and  Levadoux 488 

Signature  of  Rev.  Donatien 
Olivier .484 

Signature  of  Rev.  Gabriel 
Richard 489 

Signature  of  Bishop  Denaut,  of 
Quebec 489 

Portrait  of  Rev.  Gabriel  Rich- 
ard, from  a  contemporaneous 
print 490 

Signature  of  Rev.  John  Dilhet.  491 


rAa« 

St.  Peter's  Church,  Elizabeth- 
town,  Pa 496 

Signature  of  Rt.  Rev.  Leonard 
Neale,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  Gor- 
tyna,  and  Coadjutor  of  Balti- 
more  600 

Church  of  the  Holy  Cross,  Bos- 
ton, dedicated  by  Bishop  Car- 
roll in  1808 510 

Residence  and  Church  at  Port 
Tobacco,  Md 512 

Holy  Trinity  C;hurch,  George- 
town, D.  C 614 

Rev.  Charles  Nerinckx 627 

Church  of  St.  Francis  Xavier, 
Leonardtown,  Md 529 

Present  condition  of  St  Pat- 
rick's Church.  Danville,  Ky., 
first  Catholic  brick  church  in 
the  State 581 

Signature  of  Father  Thomas 
Wilson,  O.P 582 

Portrait  of  Mrs.  Eliza  A.  Seton, 
from  the  miniature  by  St. 
Memin To  f  aci  page  536 

Signature  of  Rt.  Rev.  Cvnl  de 
Barcelona,  Bishop  of  Tricaly, 
Auxiliar  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  548 

Signature  of  V.  Rev.  Thomas 
Hassett,  P.  P.  of  St.  Augus- 
tine, Canon  of  New  Orleans, 
Administrator  of  the  Diocese.  663 

Signature  of  Rev.  Michael 
O'Reilly 558 

Signature  of  Rev.  Michael 
Crosby 668 

Portrait  of  Rt.  Rev.  Luis  Pe- 
fialver  y  C&rdenas,  Bishop  of 
Louisiana,  from  a  drawing 
by  Gregori 576 

Cathedral,  New  Orleans 586 

Signature  of  V.  Rev.  John  Oli- 
vier, V.G 595 

Old  Ursuline  Convent  and 
Chapel,  New  Orieans 597 

Cathedral,  Baltimore,  in  its  or- 
iginal form .  From  Fielding 
Lucas'  "Picture  of  Balti- 
more"   599 

St.  Patrick's  Church,  Fell's 
Point 601 

Portrait  of  Rev  Francis  Charles 
Nagot,  founder  of  St.  Mary's 
Theological  Seminary,  Balti- 
more    610 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


28 


PAGE 

St.  Patrick's  Church,  DamariE>- 
cotta,  Maine 618 

Georgetown  College,  from  the 
Potomac 619 

Portrait  of  Archbishop  Carroll. 
From  the  painting  by  Stuart.  621 

Portrait  of  lit.  Kev.  Richard 
Luke  Concanen,  O.P.,  first 
Bishop  of  New  York. 
From  a  drawing  by  Greg- 
ori To  face  page  624 

Signature  of  Bishop  Concanen.  625 

Signature  of  V.  Rev.  Anthony 
Kohlmann,  Administrator  of 
New  York 628 

Signatures  of  Bishops  Chev- 
erus  of  Boston,  £gan  of 
Philadelphia,  and  Flaget  of 
Bardstown 682 

Mount  St.  Mary's  Seminary. 
From  a  pen  and  ink  sketch 
by  Rev.  8.  Brute  m  1822  ...  644 


PAQI 


House  on  Paca  Street,  Baiti 
more,  where  Mrs.  Seton 
founded  her  Community . . 

Signature  of  Mrs.  E.  A.  Seton. 

View  of  St.  Joseph's  House 
near  Emmittsburg,  worked 
at  the  Roman  Catholic  Or- 
phan Asylum,  New  York, 
by  Mary  A.  Richards,  a.d. 
1819 

Interior  of  St.  Joseph's  Church, 
Philadelphia.  From  an  old 
water-color  preserved  there. .  „„ 

Signature  of  Rev.  Francis  Neale  685 

Our  Lady  of  Prompt  Succor  at 
New  Orleans.  From  an  en- 
waving  issued  by  Bishop 
Du  Bourg 672 

Archbishop  Carroll.  From  the 
wax  bust  in  the  Bishops' 
Memorial  Hall,  Notre  Dame, 
Indiana 680 


646 
648 


600 


654 


I 


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LI 


ou; 

da^ 

in 

spi 

sys 

Cai 

in  1 

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thoi 

plir 

it8j 

erat 

Chi 


BOOK   I. 

LIFE  OF  THE  REV.  JOHN  CARROLL  TO  HIS  CONSE- 
CRATION AS  BISHOP  OF  BALTIMORE. -THE  CATH- 
OLIC CHURCH  IN  THE  ENGLISH  COLONIES  AND 
THE  UNITED  STATES  1763-1790. 


CHAPTER  I. 

HIS   LIFE   TO   HIS   RETURN   TO  MARYLAND   IN    1774. 

The  Catholic  Church  is  a  fact  and  a  factor  in  the  life  of 
our  repubhc.     In  spite  of  the  antagonism  shown  in  former 
days  by  tlie  English  government  and  the  colonial  legislatures, 
in  spite  of  the  bitter  opposition  of  most  Protestant  sects,  in 
spite  of  the  Protestant  bias  and  tone  of  our  Federal  and  State 
systems,  our  public  schools,  our  press  and  literature,  the 
Catholic  Church  grows.    It  has  attained  such  a  development 
in  the  country  that  it  numbers  probably  eight  millions  who 
actually  profess  its  faith,  and  receive  its  ordinances,  with  per- 
haps some  two  or  three  millions  more,  who,  led  by  hope  of 
advancement  or  sinking  into  indifference,  assume  a  kind  of 
neutral  position,  apt  to  adhere  to  their  religion  if  it  suits 
their  worldly  prospects,  inclined  to  ignore  it  for  social  or 
political  ends.     The  influence  of  such  a  body,  regarding  only 
those  who  maintain  the  faith,  unison  in  creed,  worship,  disci- 
pline, religious  thought,  and  impulse,  upon  the  country  and 
its  future,  is  certainly  worthy  of  serious  thought  and  consid- 
eration.    To  understand  the  actual  position  of  the  Catholic 
Church  it  is  necessary  to  trace  its  past,  and  appreciate  duly 

2  (ac) 


26 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


the  men  and  events  which  more  potently  c(»ntrolled  its  life 
and  polity. 

Amon^  these  the  Most  Reverend  John  Carroll,  first  Bishop 
and  first  Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  holds  a  commanding 
place.  Pious,  learned,  sagacious,  conversant  with  the  char- 
acter and  ideas  of  the  ruling  classes  in  England,  and  the  con- 
dition of  those  who  suffered  under  the  penal  laws  ;  a  careful 
observer  of  the  condition  of  affairs  on  the  Continent,  where 
atheism  by  the  operation  of  secret  societies  had  gained  power 
among  rulers  and  nobles,  only  to  affect  their  ruin,  he  had 
taken  a  patriotic  part  in  the  struggle  of  America  for  freedom, 
and  in  full  harmony  with  the  providentially  great  statesmen 
of  that  critical  time,  sought  to  base  the  foundations  of  our 
new  republic  on  the  solid  ground  of  eternal  justice.  Great 
experience,  great  trials  patiently  and  hopefully  bonie,  great 
prudence,  sound  judgment,  the  purest  patriotism,  intelligent 
loyalty  to  the  Church  of  which  he  was  an  unblemished  min- 
ister, fitted  him  in  the  highest  degree  for  moulding  into  a 
bmly  of  active  zeal  and  faith  the  little  nucleus  of  Catholics  in 
the  country,  which  had  for  more  than  a  century  been  under 
the  ban  of  England's  penal  laws,  copied  with  features  of  sin- 
gular malignity  in  the  colonies. 

How  admirably  Dr.  Carroll  accomplished  the  important 
and  delicate  task  confided  to  him,  is  recognized  in  the  vener- 
ation ever  since  paid  to  his  name,  not  only  in  the  great  and 
prosperous  Church  that  has  grown  up  from  the  small  begin- 
nings which  he  fostered,  but  in  the  universal  judgment  of 
impartial  men  who  have  had  occasion  to  speak  of  him. 

Notwithstanding  penal  laws  and  laws  to  prevent  the  immi- 
gration, especially  of  Irish  Catholics,  into  the  province  of 
Maryland,  a  few  arrived  from  time  to  time  ;  among  them, 
soon  after  the  commencement  of  the  eighteenth  century,  was 
Daniel  Carroll,  son  of  Keane,  a  native  of  Ireland,  but  related 


HIS  BIRTH. 


17 


by  ties  of  consanguinity  to  tlie  fauiUy  of  that  name  already 
prominent  in  the  province.    He  became  a  thriving  merchant 
and  in  time  married  Eleanor,'  the  daughter  of  Henry  Darnall 
of  Woodyard,  a  lady  who  had  received  a  finished  education 
in  Fnmce,  and  who  displayed,  in  forming  the  character  of 
her  children,  a  mind  enriched  with  piety  and  every  accom- 
plishment  to  fit  her  for  tlie  task.     John  Carroll  was  born 
January  8,  1736,  at  Upi)er  Marlborough,  Prince  George's 
County,  Maryland,  where  his  father  had  established  his  home. 
The  house  where  the  patriarch  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  this 
country  first  saw  the  light  is  still  standing,  but  a  dark  grove 
of  murmuring  pines  covers  the  site  of  Boone's  chapel,  where 
he  was  probably  baptized,  and  in  childhood  went  with  his 
parents  to  kneel  before  the  altar  of  God.     The  graveyard  of 
the  present  church  of  the  Holy  Rosary  was  used  in  those  old 
days,  and  probably  holds  the  remains  of  some  of  his  kindred. 
John  Carroll's  boyhood,  under  the  training  of  his  excellent 
mother,  gave  him  the  ease,  dignity,  and  polish  which  marked 
him  through  life.     At  the  age  of  twelve  he  was  sent  to  the 
seat  of  learning  which  the  Jesuits,  notwithstanding  the  penal 
laws,  had  established  at  Hermen's  Manor  of  Bohemia,  on  the 
eastern  shore  of  Maryland.     Here  as  Jacky  Carroll  he  pre- 
pared for  the  course  in  the  Jesuit  College  at  St.  Omer. 
Ever  devoted  to  the  education  of  youth,  this  learned  order 
had,  whenever  opportunity  offered,  endeavored  to  give  the 
sons  of  Catholic  settlers  the  classical  and  moral  training  befit- 
ting their  social  station,  but  under  a  hostile  government  the 
ejristence  of  such  academies  always  proved  a  short  one.    They 
had  opened  a  school  in  Maryland  soon  after  the  settlement, 
of  which  we  get  occasional  glimpses  ;  then  a  Latin  school  in 

'  Tbe  name  Eleanor  was  a  family  one  of  the  Darnalls.    The  oldest 
gravestone  at  St.  Thomas',  Charles  Co.,  is  of  "  Eleanor  Darnall.  9  Mav 
1705."  ' 


38 


UPB  kjF        iCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


N«w  l\j*i,  under  the  ^  J^nim'Btratiou  of  Governor  Doiif^iin, 
and  early  Ui  tlio  next  century  these  zealoUH  tum'umnricH  so- 
lecteil  a  rtite  whicii  they  had  acquirtnl  at  Bolierriiu,  on  a 
hraOi'li  of  thi;  i%lk,  for  a  now  in  titution.  The  colltgo  and 
cha^x'l  Ifj*^  the  nam''  of  St.  Xaveriu.-':,  and  Bto^'d  within  Iialf 
a  mile  of  .'liti  }>>  ./ndary  line  of  the  tlireo  oci  "tieH  on  the 
Delaware,  the  site  h.  ving^  teen  selected,  iwrhaps,  lo  facilitate 
removal,  in  case  of  necessity,  l)eyond  the  juriwliction  of 
Maryiiuul  ofiicials,  the  more  huiuano  policy  of  Penn's  colony 
affording  a  safe  refuge.  An  old  oliapol  still  HtandH  in  a  fair 
state  of  proHervation,  hut  the  graHs  of  the  lawn  covorH  the 
site  where  the  little  college  stood  when  (Jarroll  attended  it,' 
though  the  ancient  wrought-iron  cross  bronght  over  by  Cal- 
vert, that  marks  the  spot,  was  prolwihly  a  venerable  relic  there 
even  in  his  day. 

At  the  academy  in  Bohemia  young  Carroll,  entering  about 
1747,  had  as  fellow-richolars  his  relative,  Chiu-lei:  Carroll,  the 
future  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  Robert 
PNint.  The  talent,  love  of  study,  and  solidity  of  character 
«i..)wn  by  young  John's  pious  and  amiable  life,  proved  that 
»»pportunitie8  for  a  higher  and  more  thorough  course  would 
not  be  lost  by  him.  The  institutions  of  learning  then  estab- 
lished in  the  colonies  and  the  great  universities  of  England 
were  in  that  day  closed  to  the  Catholic  pu])il ;  nor  was  liberty 
granted  the  oppressed  adherents  of  the  ancient  faith  to  found 
and  endow  schools  and  colleges  for  the  education  of  their 
children.     The  only  resource  for  Catholics  lay  in  the  coun- 

'  "  Of  this  school,  whicli  may  he  called  the  predecessor  of  Georgetown, 
no  history  is  pi-,  /irved  :  even  the  buildinp  in  which  it  was  held  was 
pulled  down  fifty  years  ago."  Woodstock  Lett«'rs,  vol.  vii.,  p.  4.  For 
the  earl"  Catholic  Grammar  Schools,  see  an  article  by  Rev.  W.  P.  Treacy, 
"  U.  S.  Catholic  Hist.  Mag.,"  i.,  p.  71.  There  were  Jesuit  schools  in 
England  also  to  which  Maryland  Catholics  sent  their  sons.  ' '  The  Pres- 
ent State  of  Popery  in  England,"  London,  1788,  p.  19. 


ENGLISH  COLLKOES  ABROAD.  ^ 

trit'H  on  the  (Continent  wlicro  their  faith  was  profoMed.  At 
various  pointH,  Rotne,  Donay,  b)uvain,  ]»ariH,  Seville,  Coiin- 
hra,  St.  Onjor,  Salamanca,  coliogcH  were  hnilt  and  ci  flowed 
to  ^'ivo  the  none  of  CJatholics  in  the  HritiHh  doiniiiionH  an  op- 
IKtrtunity  to  atHpiiro  an  education  Buited  to  tlioir  rank  in  life.' 
The  generouH  aid  from  large-hearted  jK-oplo  in  all  landH  helped 
to  create  and  endow  thewe  iiiHtitutions ;  Htill,  there  were  hut  a 
favored  few  Catholics  in  Anu^rica  who  could  afford  to  send 
their  sons  and  daughters  beyond  the  sea.  Laws  forbade  them 
to  obtain  an  edu(;inon  iit  houio,  laws  puniwhed  them  for  send- 
ing their  childrrn  ab?<  ad,  yet  many  a  family,  like  one  from 
which  the  v\  riter  springs,  risked  all  for  the  good  of  their  off 
spring,  and  '>»t  it.  Probably  the  laws  of  no  nation  contain 
such  a  series  of  enactments,  aimed  at  reducing  a  class  of  its 
subjects  to  ignorance,  as  do  tliose  of  Great  Britain  and  her 
colonies. 

The  effect  of  this  continental  education  on  the  young  Cath- 
olic gentlemen  and  gentlewomen  was  clearly  seen.  As  a 
class  they  were  far  superior  in  the  last  century  to  their  Prot- 
estant neighbors,  who,  educated  at  liome,  were  narrow  and 
insular  in  their  ideas,  ignorant  of  modem  languages,  and  of 
all  that  was  going  on  beyond  their  county  limits  and  its  fox 
hunts  and  race  .  The  Catholic,  on  the  contrary,  was  conver&- 
ant  with  several  languages,  with  the  current  literature  of 
Europe,  the  science  of  the  day,  with  art  and  the  great  gal- 
leries where  the  masterpieces  of  painting  and  sculpture  could 
be  seen.  He  returned  to  England  or  his  colonial  home  after 
forming  acquaintance  with  persons  of  distinction  and  influ- 
ence, whose  correspondence  retained  and  enlarged  the  knowl- 
edge he  had  acquired. 


'  Petre,  "  "^^otice8  of  the  English  Collegt'M  iiid  Convents  established  on 
he  Contini     ,'    Norwich,  1849  ;  Treacy,  "  Irish  Scholars  of  the  Penal 
Days— Glimpses  of  their  Labors  on  the  Contment,"  New  York,  1887. 


30 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Young  John  Carroll,  it  was  Boon  determined,  should  pur- 
sue a  thorough  course  at  the  great  Jesuit  college  in  the  town 
of  St.  Omer  in  French  Flanders.  A  year  spent  in  prelimi- 
nary study  at  Bohemia  prepared  him  and  his  fellow-students 
to  enter  that  great  institution  founded  by  the  English  Jesuits 
about  1590,  aided  in  no  small  degree  by  Philip  II.  of  Spain.' 
It  opened  with  thirty-three  pupils,  but  its  average  was  above  a 
hundred  for  a  long  series  of  years,  and  sometimes  nearly  two 
hundred  filled  its  classes.  The  course  was  very  thorough, 
and  St.  Omer's  College  enjoyed  a  high  reputation  for  the 
proficiency  of  its  students  in  Latin,  and  especially  in  Greek. 
One  peculiarity  of  its  system  was  that  during  dinner  a 
student  could  be  called  upon  by  the  rector  to  speak  extem- 
poraneously on  any  subject.  It  was  rare  that  some  visitors, 
often  men  of  high  rani:,  were  not  in  the  refectory,  and  the 
readiness  and  skill  with  which  the  scholars  rose  and  spoke, 
with  no  time  or  notes  to  prepare  a  discourse,  were  a  subject 
of  universal  astonishment. 

In  this  great  institution,  John  Carroll  spent  six  years.,  and 
even  among  its  briUiant  scholars  won  a  high  reputation.  His 
father  did  not  long  survive  his  departure,  dying  in  Maryland 
in  1 750.'  At  the  close  of  their  course  of  rhetoric,  the  collegians 


'  Woodstock  Letters,  vii. ,  p.  5. 

«  "My  father "  [Daniel  Carroll]  "died  in  1750  and  left  six  children, 
myself,  Ann,  John,  Ellen,  Mary,  and  Betsy."  Letter  of  Hon.  Daniel 
Carroll,  brother  of  the  Archbishop,  to  James  Carroll  in  Ireland,  Dec.  20, 
1763.  ' '  My  eldest  sister  Ann  is  married  to  Mr.  Robert  Brent  in  Virginia. 
They  have  one  child,  a  son.  My  brother  John  was  sent  abroad  for  his 
education  on  my  return,  and  is  now  a  Jesuit  at  Lif'ge,  teaching  philosophy 
and  eminent  in  his  profession.  Ellen,  my  second  sister,  is  married  well, 
to  Mr.  Wm.  Brent  in  Virginia,  near  my  eldest  sister.  She  has  three 
boys  and  one  girl.  My  sisters  Mary  and  Betsy  are  unmarried,  and  live 
chiefly  with  my  mother,  who  is  very  well."    lb. 

The  oldest  rfon,  Henry,  wasdrr  ^ned  "  when  he  was  a  boy  at  school  and 


A  NOVICE. 


81 


of  St.  Omer  generally  proceeded  to  the  CoUcges  of  the  So- 
ciety in  Rome  or  Yalladolid  to  pursue  the  higher  branches  of 
learning.  Young  Carroll  had,  however,  decided  on  his  vo- 
cation. He  felt  that  he  was  called  by  Providence  to  enter 
the  religious  life,  and  attached  to  the  learned  and  pious 
priests  who  had  directed  his  studies,  he  appUed  for  admission 
into  the  Society  of  Jesus. 

The  novitiate  of  the  English  province  of  the  order  was 
then  in  an  ancient  abbey  at  Watten,'  a  small  town  about  six 
miles  from  St.  Omer,  which  the  bishop  of  that  city  had  be- 
stowed upon  the  Jesuit  Fathers.    Carroll's  virtues  and  amia- 
ble character,  as  well  as  ability  and  studious  disposition,  caused 
his  application  to  be  favorably  received,  and  in  1753,  on  the 
eve  of  Our  Lady's  nativity,  the  favorite  day  in  the  English 
province  for  entering  on  the  religious  life,  he  was  admitted 
to  the  novitiate  and  assumed  the  habit  which  a  Stanislaus, 
an  Aloysius,  an  Elphinstone  had  associated  with  youthful 
sanctity.     With  him  as  fellow-novices,  were  Joseph  Hather- 
sty  destined  to  labor  and  die  in  the  M'arylaiid  mission  ;  Wm. 
Home,  Peter  Jenkins,   George  Knight,   Joseph  Emraott, 
Joseph  Tyrer,  all  in  time  zealous  and  useful  members  of  the 
Society.     A  fellow-countryman,  Robert  Cole,  and  the  future 
Church  historian,  Joseph  Reeve,  were  already  in  the  novitiate 
when  he  entered.   After  the  two  years  of  retirement  devoted  to 
meditation,  and  training  for  spiritual  life,  under  Father  Henry 
Corbie,  in  the  novitiate,  then  composed  of  some  sixteen  as- 
pirants, Carroll  was  sent  to  the  College  of  the  Society  at 
Liege,  to  prepare  for  elevation  to  the  priesthood  by  a  course 


Deposition  of  Elizabeth 


many  years  before  the  death  of  his  father 
Carroll,  1810. 

n,-o^^"*«"  ''""""*  '■'"'  ^"^^'^  ^'■''™  ^*-  <^'"«'--     ^  ''0"^e"t-  once  occn. 

Sato  \lmuT  ?r":;  """'  '""^"^'^^  '"^  '^^  '^"■'^"^"  J««"i»^  for  a  novi. 
tiate  in  1611-2,  and  finally  opened  in  1622.    Foley.  "  Records."  v..  p.  194 


ffSi  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

of  philosophy  and  theology,  with  the  kindred  sacred  studies 
under  Father  Charles  Eousse  or  Koels.  It  is  not  unusual  for 
the  young  members  of  the  order  to  be  employed  for  some 
years  in  teaching  in  the  colleges,  but  Cai-roU  was  not  thus 
called  away  from  his  preparation  for  the  altar.  The  scholas- 
ticate  then  numbered  about  twenty-five  pious  and  talented 
youth.  He  was  ordained  priest  in  1759,  attesting  his  mastery 
of  theology  by  a  public  defense  of  his  tlieses. 

The  young  priest  was  then  appointed  to  a  professor's  chair 
at  St.  Omer.  and  his  ability  as  a  teaclier  and  guide  of  youth 
maintained  the  ancient  reputation  of  that  seat  of  learning. 
He  was  next  employed  at  Liege,  as  professor  of  philosophy 
and  of  theology  in  the  scholaeticate,  forming  young  members 
of  the  order  to  be  invested  with  the  awful  dignity  of  tlie 
priesthood.'  Whether  training  young  gentlemen  for  their 
career  in  the  world,  or  the  scholastics  of  the  order  for  their 
future  mission  duties,  the  dignified  American  Jesuit  evinced 
equal  judgment  and  skill. 

After  a  certain  number  of  years  in  the  order,  the  member 
of  the  Society  of  Jesus  takes  his  final  vows.  Preparatory  to 
this  Father  Carroll  had  renounced  in  favor  of  his  brother 
Daniel  and  his  sisters  Ann,  Ellen,  Mary,  and  Betsy,  his 
claims  to  the  property  of  his  father.  The  last  vows  are  pre- 
ceded by  a  second  novitiate  of  one  year,  and  by  an  examina- 
tion in  theology.  Only  those  who  combine  great  learning, 
the  highest  virtue  and  ability  as  directors  of  souls,  are  ad- 
mitted to  the  class  of  professed  Fathers ;  most  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Society  take  the  vows  of  Spiritual  Coadjutors 
formed.     In  the  case  of  Father  John  Carroll  there  was  no 


II 


'  Daniel  to  Jiimcs  Carroll,  Dec.  20,  1762.  "  His  tliPoloj;ic.<il  manu- 
scripts, which  he  i)r('i)are(l  for  his  own  ii.se,  citlicr  as  student  or  profes- 
sor, are  still  preserved  in  Georgetown  College  library."  Woodstock  Let- 
ters, vii.,  p  6. 


udies 
alfor 
some 
thus 
liolas- 
eiited 
istery 

chair 
y^outh 
•ning. 
3ophy 
nbers 
if  the 
their 
their 
ineed 

smber 
)ry  to 
■other 
h  his 
e  pre- 
mina- 
iiing, 
•e  ad- 
iriem- 
jutors 
as  no 


mnnu- 
profp3- 
:kLet-  ■  a*  (88) 


84 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


question.     He  took  the  four  solemn  vows  and  became  a  Pro- 
fessed Father  on  the  2d  of  February,  1771. 

The  order,  which  had  from  its  foundation  expected  and  en- 
countered the  buffetings  of  adverse  fortune,  was  now  breast- 
ing the  most  feai'ful  storm  that  had  ever  arisen  against  it.  A 
vast  conspiracy  against  revealed  truth  and  civil  order  had 
been  growing  like  a  canker  in  the  vitals  of  Europe.  Blinded 
rulers  encouraged  it,  the  nobility  widely  favored  it,  and  the 
discontented  masses  of  the  populace  were  ready  for  the  wiltl- 
est  excesses.  Governments  seemed  struck  with  blindness,  un- 
able to  see  the  results  to  which  the  revolution  must  lead,  the 
overthrow  of  the  altar  and  the  throne. 

The  Society  of  Jesus  was  regarded  by  the  anti-Christian 
leaders  as  an  able  and  energetic  corps,  of  which  it  was  neces- 
sary to  deprive  the  Church  before  the  grand  attack  was  made. 
The  House  of  Bourbon,  holding  the  thrones  of  France,  Spain, 
and  Naples,  became  the  tool  of  the  conspirators.  France 
struck  the  first  blow.  In  1762  the  Parliament  of  Paris  or- 
dered all  the  Jesuit  colleges  to  be  closed,  and  soon  after 
issued  a  decree  depriving  the  members  of  the  Society  of  all 
property  corporate  or  personal.  This  was  followed  by  edicts 
of  banishment  unless  they  renounced  their  order  and  took  an 
oath  prescribed  by  these  tribunals  which  assumed  higher  au- 
thority in  ecclesiastical  matters  than  the  Pope. 

The  English  Jesuits,  driven  for  the  faith  from  England, 
had  sought  hospitality  in  France.  They  had  committed  no 
offence  against  the  laws  ot  the  kingdom  and  were  not  sul)- 
jects.  But  without  a  shadow  of  law  or  regard  f(»r  judicial 
forms  the  Court  decreed  the  seizure  of  the  College  of  St. 
Omer  and  the  expulsion  of  the  members  of  the  Society  of 
Jesus  attached  to  it. 

One  aged  Jesuit  alone  seemed  to  rouse  any  sense  of  hu- 
manity in  the  hearts  of  the  stolid  executioners  of  the  edict  of 


AT  BRUGES. 


35 


the  Jansenistic  and  infidel  parliament.  The  aged  Father 
Levinus  Brown,  the  friend  of  the  poet  Pope,  was  left  in  the 
college  to  breathe  his  last  at  the  age  of  ninety-four. 

The  persecuted  English  Jesuits  looked  around  for  a  place 
where   they  could   continue  the  work  of  educating  their 
young  countrymen.     The  ancient  city  of  Bruges  in  xVustrian 
Flanders,  appreciating  the  benefit  of  such  an  institution,  in- 
vited the  Fathers  to  establish  their  college  within  its  walls 
and  the  gov  ernment  officially  sanctioned  it  by  Letters  Patent.' 
Tlie  Jesuit  Fathers  trusting  to  the  good  faith  of  the  Austrian 
government,  accepted  the  invitation,  and  agreed  to  erect  a 
college  in  that  city.     The  scholars  from  St.  Omer,  led  by 
Father  Joseph  Reeve,  made  their  way  across  the  frontier  and 
through  the  woods  to  Bruges,  where  the  community  took  up 
tiieir  residence  in  an  old  Spanish  dwelling-house.     The  es- 
tablishment at  St.  Omer  comprised  the  Great  College,  and  a 
preparatory  institution  for  younger  boys,  known  as  the  Less 
College.     Both  these  resumed  their  coui«c.  J,  Bruges,  and 
there  Father  Carroll  continued  his  functions  as  professor.' 

The  government,  as  if  anxious  to  secure  the  Jesuits  per- 
manently, and  prevent  their  regarding  Bruges  as  a  mere 
temporary  home,  constantly  urged  the  Fathers  to  proceed  to 
the  erection  of  suitable  buildings.  They  accordingly  ex- 
pended £7,500  in  the  purchase  of  ground  for  the  two  col- 
leges, and  began  the  erection  of  a  fine  building  for  the  Less 
College,  at  a  very  great  outlay.  This  taxed  their  resources  so 
completely  that  they  were  compelled  to  defer  for  a  time  the 
plan  of  erecting  their  main  institution.' 


'  Foley,  "  Records  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,"  v.,  p.  168. 
_ »  Archbishop  Carroll,  "  A  Narrative  of  the  proceedings  in  the  suppres- 
sion of  the  two  English  Colleges  at  Bruges  iu  Flanders.  lately  under  the 
government  of  the  English  Jesuits." 


M 


36 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


"While  Father  Carroll  was  co-operating  in  the  attempt  to 
build  up  this  new  college  and  maintain  its  efficiency,  he  was 
selected  by  his  Superiors  to  make  a  tour  through  Europe  with 
the  young  son  of  a  Catholic  nobleman,  Lord  Stourton,  who 
liad  requested  that  the  American  priest  should  undertake  the 
duty. 

Setting  out  with  his  young  charge  in  1771,  he  visited  the 
romantic  country  of  the  Vosges,  traversing  the  provinces 
of  Alsace  and  Lorraine,  where  the  memory  of  good  King 
Stanislaus  was  still  revered  by  all.  They  then  crossed  the 
Rhine,  and  entered  the  territory  of  the  German  Empire  and 
journeyed  to  Carlsruhe,  sufltering  on  the  way  from  fever  and 
ague.  Heidelberg  with  its  University  and  learned  professors 
welcomed  the  Jesuit  and  his  distinguished  pupil ;  then  fol- 
lowing the  Rhine  through  lands  teeming  with  grain  and 
wine,  the  tourists  reached  Cologne,  where  they  admired  the 
still  unfinished  Cathedral.  The  Reverend  Mr.  Carroll's 
journals  of  part  of  the  tour  have  been  preserved,  and  show 
that  he  was  an  obscrvunt  and  thoughtful  traveller. 

After  visiting  Augsburg  and  Munich  the  tourists  struck 
into  the  Tyrol,  and  journeying  in  the  slow  and  deliberate 
fashion  of  the  last  century,  crossed  the  mountains  by  way  of 
Trent,  till  the  soft  vowel  sounds  of  Italy  replaced  the  harsher 
German  tones.  At  Yerona  PVlier  Carroll's  Italian  was  re- 
quired, and  he  found  that  he  lacked  readiness  in  the  lan- 
guage ;  but  this  was  soon  acquired,  as  they  made  their  way 
to  Bologna  and  finally  to  Rome. 

How  under  more  favorable  circumstances  the  Eternal  City 
would  have  impressed  the  American  priest  cannot  be  known ; 
but  it  chilled  rather  than  inflamed  his  devotion.  Roiite, 
which  had  treasured  the  remains  of  the  founder  of  the  Soci- 
ety, Saint  Ignatius,  of  Saint  Francis  Borgia,  Saint  Aloynius, 
Saint  Stanislaus,  now  looked  with  such  disfavor  on  the  orde- 


TOUR   WITH  HON.  MR.  STOURTON. 


37 


to  which  he  belonged  that  the  American  Jesuit  was  com- 
pelled to  conceal  his  character;  he  endeavored  to  see  two 
Fathers  of  his  province  who  were  personal  friends ;  but  as 
they  were  out  of  Rome,  he  could  hold  no  intercourse  with 
the  members  of  the  Society.  He  saw  sold  in  the  streets 
without  restraint  libels  on  the  Jesuits  in  which  the  prayers 
of  Mass  were  burlesqued,  and  treatises  assailing  the  Devotion 
to  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus.  The  overthrow  of  the  Society 
of  Jesus  was  the  comtnon  topic,  and  was  expected  when 
Spain  declared  her  will. 

Henry  Stuart,  Cardinal  of  York,  the  last  descendant  of 
James  II.,  who  exercised  a  controlling  influence  over  the 
Church  appointments  in  the  British  Isles,  was  an  open  adver- 
sary of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  so  that  even  from  the  Catholic 
bishops  in  England  little  sympathy  could  be  expected,  if  the 
worst  came.' 

After  spending  some  time  in  Rome  admiring  the  many 
scenes  and  objects  that  inspire  ennobling  thoughts  in  the 
scholar  and  the  Christian,  Father  Carroll  and  young  Stourton 
continued  their  way  to  Naples,  where  they  passed  part  of  the 
autumn,  returning,  however,  to  Rome  by  October  22d,  in 
oroer  to  pass  the  winter  in  the  Eternal  City.  On  the  way 
they  visited  Loretto,  which  awakened  earnest  devotion  in  the 
heart  of  the  priest.' 

Leaving  Rome  with  gloomy  forebodings  for  the  future  of 
the  Society  in  which  he  had  enrolled  himself  for  life.  Father 
Carroll  and  his  pupil,  as  summer  approached,  proceeded  to 
Florence,  then  to  Genoa— cities  that  reminded  the  American 
priest  of  Columbus  and  Verazzano.     Then  entering  France 


'  Letter  of  Rev.  John  Carroll,  Rome,  Jan.  23,  1773. 
'  Letters  of  Feb.  3  and  June  28.  1773. 


88 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


he  visited  Lyons,  and  travelling  on  by  diligence  to  Paris,  re- 
turned to  Bruges  by  way  of  Liege. 

Father  Carroll  restored  his  young  charge  to  the  hands  of 
Lord  Stourton  and  prepared  to  resume  his  duties  In  the  col- 
lege. Notwithstanding  the  constant  reports  of  an  intended 
suppression  or  modification  of  the  order,  which  all  the  recent 
observations  of  Father  Carroll  confirmed,  the  English  Jesuits 
at  Bruges  made  no  attempt  to  remove  to  a  place  c-f  safety,  if 
any  could  be  found.  They  tnisted  implicitly  in  the  good 
faith  of  the  Austro-Belgic  government,  which  had  invited 
them  into  Biniges,  and  given  Letters  Patent,  although  fully 
aware  of  the  machinations  against  them. 

The  direction  of  the  Sodality  at  Bruges  was  oflFered  to 
Father  Carroll,  but  his  recent  tour  had  enabled  the  American 
priest  to  meet  many  experienced  men  and  study  the  signs  of 
the  times.  Convinced  that  the  Society  of  Jesus  would  be 
either  annihilated  or  so  restricted  as  to  be  unable  to  continue 
its  work,  he  saw  no  avenue  open  in  Europe  where  all  seemed 
seething  with  destructive  fires.  All  convinced  him  that  the 
wisest  course  was  to  return  to  his  native  land.  He  withdrew 
into  retirement,  to  weigh  well  in  prayer  the  disposition  he 
felt  to  join  his  relatives  in  Maryland.  His  religious  brethren 
were  loth  to  part  with  one  wliose  sterling  qualities  all  appre- 
ciated, but  the  question  was  decided  by  a  higher  hand. 

On  the  2l8t  of  July,  1773,  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  Clement 
XIV.  signed  the  Brief  "  Dominus  ac  Redemptor  noster," 
which,  witiiout  condemning  the  memliers  of  the  order  for 
their  doctrine,  their  life,  or  their  discipline,  suppressed  the 
Society  of  Jesus  throughout  the  Christian  world.  Withheld 
for  nearly  a  month,  this  remarkable  paper  was  issued  on  the 
16th  of  August,  and  a  commission  of  Cardinals  named  to  ex- 
ecute it. 

The  bishops  throughout  the  world  were  required  to  obtain 


THE  SOCIETY  SUPPRESSED. 


39 


from  each  inember  of  tlie  Society  under  their  jurisdiction  an 
acknowledgment  in  writing  of  liis  suljmissioii  to  the  brief 
suppressing  his  order.  Such  a  paper  was  doubtless  signed  by 
Father  Carroll  and  his  fellow-religious  at  the  English  College 
at  Bruges.  They  regarded  the  suppression  as  only  temporary 
and  trusted  that  the  Austro-Belgian  government  which  had 
invited  them,  exiles  for  the  faith  from  a  Protestant  realm,  to 
take  up  their  abode  at  Bniges,  would  permit  them  to  con- 
tinue their  good  work  till  better  days.  They  were  soon  cru- 
elly undeceived.  The  government  resolved  to  enforce  the 
brief  by  seizing  all  the  proi)erty  of  the  Society,  and  to  do  so 
without  making  the  provision  required  by  its  terms. 

Amid   these   uncertainties,  Father  Carroll   wrote   to  his 
brother  Daniel  on  the  11th  of  September,  1773  : 

"  I  was  willing  to  accept  the  vacant  post  of  prefect  of  the 

Sodality  here  ....  that  I  might  enjoy  some  retirement,  and 

consider  well  in  the  presence  of  God  the  disposition  I  found 

myself  in  of  going  to  join  my  relatives  in  Maryland,  and  in 

t^ase  that  disposition  continued,  to  go  out  next  spring.     But 

now  all  room  for  deliberation  seems  to  be  over.    The  enemies 

of  the  Society,  and,  above  all,  the  unrelenting  perseverance 

of  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  ministries,  with  the  passive- 

ness  of  the  Court  of  Vienna,  has  at  last  obtained  their  ends  ; 

and  our  so  long  persecuted,  and,  I  must  add,  holy  Society,  is 

no  more.     God's  holy  will  be  done,  and  may  His  name  be 

blessed  forever  and  ever  !     This  fatal  stroke  was  struck  on 

the  21st  of  July,  but  was  kept  secret  at  Rome  till  the  16th 

of  August,  and  was  only  made  known  to  me  on  the  5th  of 

September.     I  am  not,  and  perhaps  never  shall  be,  recovered 

from  the  shock  of  this  dreadful  intelligence.     The  greatest 

blessing  which  in  my  estimation  I  could  receive  from  God 

would  be  immediate  death  ;  but  if  He  deny  me  this,  may 

His  holy  and  adorable  designs  on  me  be  wholly  fulfilled.     Is 


40 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


it  poBsiblo  that  Divine  Providence  should  pennit  to  such  an 
end  a  body  wholly  devoted,  and  I  will  still  aver,  with  the 
most  disinterested  charity,  in  procuring  every  comfort  and 
advantage  to  their  neighbors,  whether  by  preaching,  teaching, 
catechizing,  missions,  visiting  hospitals,  prisons,  and  every 
other  function  of  spiritual  and  corporal  mercy  ?  Sudi  1 
have  beheld  it  in  every  part  of  my  travels,  the  first  of  all 
ecdesiasticid  bodies  in  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  the  faith- 
ful, and  certainly  the  most  laborious.  What  will  become  of 
our  flourishing  congregations  with  you,  and  those  cultivati-d 
by  the  German  Fathers  ?  These  reflections  crowd  so  fa«t 
upon  me  that  I  almost  lose  my  senses.  But  I  will  endeavor 
to  suppress  them  for  a  few  moments.  You  see  that  I  am 
now  my  own  master,  and  left  to  my  own  direction.  In  re- 
turning to  Maryland,  I  shall  have  the  comfort  of  not  only 
being  with  you,  but  of  being  farther  out  of  the  reach  of 
scandal  and  defamation,  and  removed  from  the  scenes  of  dis- 
tress of  many  of  my  dearest  friends,  whom,  Go<l  knows,  I 
sliall  not  be  able  to  relieve.  I  shall,  therefore,  most  certainly 
Bail  for  Maryland  early  next  spring,  if  I  possibly  can."  ' 

In  an  account  written  at  the  time  by  Father  Carroll  we 
see  the  feelings  of  these  English  Jesuits  and  the  people 
among  whom  they  had  resided  for  the  last  ten  years  : 

"  The  news  of  the  dissolution  of  the  order  was  received 
with  the  greatest  anxiety.  The  magistracy  and  citizens  per- 
suaded themselves  that  the  government  would  not  destroy 
two  settlements  so  lately  authorized  by  themselves  ;  and  that 
tlie  bull  would  have  no  farther  operation  resjiecting  the  Eng- 
lish Jesuits  than  to  reduce  them  to  the  condition  of  secular 
priests ;  l)ut  that  they  would  be  allowed,  if  they  themselves 


'  Brent,  "  Biographical  Skotch  of  the  Most  Rev.  John  Carroll,  flrat 
Archbishop  of  Baltimore,"  Baltimore,  1848,  pp.  25-7. 


THE  AUSTRO-BELGIAN  CRUELTY. 


41 


were  willing,  to  continue  the  Bame  functions  they  had  hith- 
erto (liHcharged.  Encouraged  by  these  general  expectations 
of  the  town,  the  superiors  of  the  two  colleges  wrote  a  letter 
to  Monsieur  Neny,  President  of  the  Privy  Council  at  Brus- 
sels, who  had  often  declared  himself  the  protector  of  the  col- 
leges, and  was  thought  to  hold  the  first  share  in  the  goveni- 
rnent.  In  the  letter  they  expressed  their  alarm  on  account 
of  the  situation  of  the  Society ;  but  withal  desired  to  con- 
tinue to  render  the  same  service  to  religion  and  the  instruc- 
tion of  youth,  now  they  l)ecame  secular  <flergymen,  as  hereto- 
fore whilst  they  were  Jesuits;  and  if  the  government  should 
not  judge  projjcr  to  allow  any  longer  of  the  colleges  under 
their  care,  they  prayed  at  least  to  have  time  to  give  warning 
to  ])arpnt8  to  remove  iheir  children  ;  and  especially  reminded 
tlie  minister  of  the  necessity  of  such  a  delay  arising  from  the 
situation  of  several  American  youths,  who  had  no  other 
friends  in  Europe  besides  the  persons  under  whose  care  they 
actually  were." 

T1k3  minister  invited  the  two  rectors  to  Brussels,  where 
evci-y  assurance  was  given  that  their  institution  would  be 
maintained ;  and  that  at  all  -jvents  they  should  be  treated 
with  respect,  allowed  to  retain  private  property,  and  assured 
of  a  competent  maintenance. 

Even  when  the  Bishop  of  Bruges  received  orders  to  exe- 
cute the  brief,  he  told  the  Fathers  "  that  he  was  persuaded 
that  whatever  change  might  happen  in  the  two  colleges 
would  last  for  only  two  or  three  days,  after  which  everything 
would  be  allowed  to  go  on  as  usual."  Lay  commissioners 
were  appointed  by  the  ministry  at  Brussels  to  carry  into 
effect  the  edict  issued  by  the  Empress  Maria  Teresa  ;  but  so 
distasteftd  was  the  task  that  those  appointed  left  the  work  to 
be  done  by  Marouex,  a  coarse  young  upstart. 
On  the  20th  of  September  this  commissioner  entered  the 


49 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


college  and  Piuirted  the  brief  and  edict  to  bo  rend.  Tlie 
JcHuit  FatherH  wore  then  forbidden  to  go  ont  or  hold  any 
intercom-He  with  imthoiih  oiithide,  or  to  write  any  lettern,  or  to 
continue  the  nianagoinent  of  tiie  collegeH  or  the  instruction 
of  the  pupiirt,  Tlien  a  deimty  of  the  Ijidioi)  revoked  the 
faculties  of  the  priests  for  administering  the  sacraments, 
])reaching  or  catechizing,  pennitting  them  only  to  say  mase 
in  the  jH'ivato  chajHjl. 

The  account-l)(M)ks  of  the  college  were  seized  and  an  in- 
ventory made  of  all  the  property,  ridiculous  search  being 
made  for  hidden  treasures. 

For  more  than  two  weeks  a  constant  system  of  harassing 
was  kept  up.  Each  of  these  worthy  priests  was  taken  singly 
to  his  room,  where  he  was  put  untler  oath  and  compelled  to 
prrxluce  his  private  property  in  money,  effects,  or  credits. 
Even  private  ])aper8  were  taken.  All  P'ather  Carroll's  letters 
from  his  mother  and  kindred  in  America  were  doubtless  then 
seized. 

On  the  evening  of  the  14th  of  OctolMjr,  1773,  Maronex, 
one  of  the  commissaries  appointed  by  the  Austrian  govern- 
ment to  rob  and  harass  these  exiles  for  the  faith,  burst  into 
the  comnunjity  room  attended  by  officers  and  guards.  The 
young  upstart  assumed  airs  of  great  authority  and  ordered 
Fathers  Angier,  Plowden,  and  Carroll  to  follow  him.  In 
vain  they  begged  the  favor  of  being  allowed  each  to  go  to 
his  room  for  a  few  moments.  This  was  not  permitted,  and 
the  Fathers  were  conducted  at  once  by  guards  to  coaches 
in  waiting.  They  were  then  taken  to  the  College  of  the 
Flemish  Fathers,  which  had  been  thoroughly  plundered. 
There  they  were  confined  and  left  to  pass  the  night  on 
the  hare  floor  as  best  they  nn'ght.  Mother  Mary  More, 
Sui)erior  of  the  English  Augustinian  nuns,  as  soon  as  she 
knew  of  their  position,  sent  her  chaplain,  Rev.  Thomas  Ber- 


A  PRISONER.  V-l 

iiiiii;t(>ii,  who  made  every  exertion  to  loHBeu  their  uncle«erved 

HUfftTJllgH. 

All  luit  tliree  Fntliers,  who  were  dotaiiuMl  us  hostaf^'B,  were 
ill  11  slmrt  time  reieoHod  and  ordered  to  Ic  vu  the  country. 

At  the  first  intelligence  of  this  nnuxpected  violence  to- 
ward the  EngliHh  houHew,  Henry,  Lord  Anindell  of  Wardour, 
who  waa  a  Count  of  the  Holy  Roman  Empire,  appealed  to 
Prince  Staremberg,  the  Austrian  prime  minister,  in  their 

jR'hldf,' 

The  .JeHuit«  of  the  English  province  lost  no  time  in  leaving 
the  ungrateful  empire. 

Though  he  had  resolved  to  return  to  Maryland,  the  llev. 
John  Carroll  accompanied  his  religious  brethren  to  England, 
and  acted  as  their  secretary  in  the  remonstrance  which  they 
addressed  to  the  Frencli  government  against  the  seizure  of 
tiieir  pr(H)erty. 

As  he  had  renounced  his  paternal  estate  in  favor  of  his 
brother  and  sisters,  he  was  utterly  without  means.  But  he 
was  known  and  appreciated  among  the  highest  circles  of 
English  Catholics,  and  was  at  once  invited  by  Lord  Anmdell 
to  make  Wardour  Castle  his  home.  Here  he  enjoyed  the 
society  of  the  cultivated  friends  of  that  nobleman,  and  while 
acting  as  cliaplain  labored  zealously  among  the  neighboring 
CatholioB.  Wardour  Castle  had  a  deep  interest  to  a  native 
of  Maryland,  as  Anne  Arundell,  wife  of  Lord  Baltimore, 
whose  name  has  been  perpetuated  in  one  of  the  counties  of 
the  State,  was  born  within  its  walls. 

This  elegimt  leisure  was  not  able  to  detain  the  good  priest. 
He  felt  that  his  real  mission  was  in  his  own  land  ;  though 
how  Providence  was  to  employ  him  there  he  could  not  fore- 


'  Cnrroll,  "  A  Narrative  of  the  Proceedings  on  the  Suppression  of  the 
Two  English  Colleges";  Foley,  "  Records,"  v.,  pp.  178-184. 


1 1 ' 


44 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


.  1 


fee.     His  affectionate  heart  prompted  him  to  return  to  his 
aged  mother,  and  he  felt  that  he  njust  act  at  once.    Eemoved 
as  he  had  been  from  America  ever  since  tlie  days  of  liis  boy- 
hood, he  had  never  forgotten  his  native  land  or  its  interests. 
The  growing  aversion  to  English  rule  had  not  escaped  his 
notice,  and  he  beheld  with  regret  that  the  liome  government 
instead  of  a  course  of  conciliation  that  would  have  bound  the 
colonists  to  the  mother  country,  seemed  wantonly,  year  by 
year,  to  adopt  measures  that  alienated   the  hearts  of  the 
American  people  more  and  more  from  the  sovereign  and  the 
parliament  of  Great  Britain.     That  the  moment  would  soon 
arrive  when  an  appeal  would  be  made  to  arms,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Carroll  was  too  sagacious  not  to  see.    Whatever  might  come, 
the  patriotic  priest  resolved  to  cast  his  lot  with  his  country. 
Bidding  adieu  to  the  members  of  the  order,  with  whom  he 
had  spent  so  many  happy  years  in  the  religious  state,  and  to 
the  kind  friend  who  had  given  him  so  delightful  a  home,  he 
staled  from  England  in  1774,  bearing  faculties  as  a  secular 
priest  granted  by  the  Vicar-Apostolic  of  London. 

The  vessel  was  one  of  the  last  that  cleared  from  England 
for  the  Chesapeake  before  the  Revolution.     Rev.  Mr.  Carroll 
arrived  in  America  June  26,  1774,  and  landed  at  Richland, 
Virginia,  the  seat  of  William  Brent,  who  had  married  his 
second  sisttr,  Ellen.     His  old  classmate  at  Bohemia  and  St. 
Omer,  Robert  Brent,  now  the  husband  of  Carrolj's  elder 
sister,  Anne,  lived  in  tiie  same  neighborhood.     After  enjoy- 
ing the  affectionate  welcome  of  his  sistei-s  and  their  families, 
the  priest  thus  restored  to  his  country  proceeded  after  a  delay 
of  only  two  days  to  the  home  which  his  mother  had  made 
for  herself  and  her  younger  daughters,  Mary  and  Betsy,  on 
Rock  Creek,  in  Frederick,  now  Montgomery  County,  Mary- 
land.    Her  joy  at  the  return  of  her  loving  son  may  well  be 
imagined,  "  though  the  change  that  time  had  wrought  in  him 


ELEANOR  DABNALL  CABROLL,   MOTHER  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


(46) 


46 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


! 


from  a  lad  of  twelve  to  a  man  of  forty,  made  her  fail  to 
recognize  him  at  lirst,  so  it  is  said."  '  His  affection  attested 
in  iiis  letters  had  cheered  her  widowhood,  but  she  had  scarcely 
dared  to  hope  for  the  happiness  of  ever  having  him  again 
beneath  her  roof." 


'  Woodstock  Letters,  vii.,  p.  9. 

'  We  are  indebted  for  the  portrait  of  Archbisliop  Carroll's  mother  to 
the  courtesy  and  interest  of  Miss  E.  C.  Bruut,  who  allowed  a  copy  to  be 
made  of  the  oil  painting  in  her  possession. 


"■■  — -"V-.™— - 


SEMINARY,    MARKING  BITE  OP  OLD  ST. 
MARY'S,   MD, 


v^^^ryt'^timji'tie 


CHAPTEE  II. 


EEUGION   IN  THE   BRITISH   COLONIES,    1763-1774. 


The  position  of  Catliolics  when  the  Rev.  John  Carroll  re- 
turned to  the  English  colonies  in  America  was  a  peculiar  one. 
More  than  a  decade  of  years  had  elapsed  since  England  by 
the  aid  of  those  colonies  had  crushed  the  power  of  France  on 
the  northern  continent,  and  extorted  a  cession  of  Florida 
from  Spain.  War  stimulated  by  fanning  anti-Catholic  fanat- 
icism had  triumphed,  and  England  had  a  vast  transatlantic 
realm  to  govern,  whose  direction  required  the  utmost  re- 
sources of  statesmanship.  But  it  is  easier  to  create  prejudice 
than  to  dispel  it.  The  British  government  was  learning  the 
lesson.  Had  England's  conduct  in  colonial  affairs  been  based 
on  the  great  and  eternal  principles  of  truth  and  honesty,  her 
course  would  have  been  simple.  But  she  could  not  be  just 
to  her  new  Catliolic  acquisitions  without  arousing  elsewhere 
the  feelings  of  religious  hate  which  she  had  implanted  and 
nurtni  ,d  by  every  device  and  keenly-devised  misrepresen- 
tation. 

The  course  of  Catholics  had  been  con? istent  and  Christian. 
Sir  George  Calvert,  the  first  Lord  Baltimore,  an  earnest 
friend  of  equal  rights  in  civil  and  religious  matters,  took  out 
to  his  Newfoundland  colony  of  Avalon  a  Catholic  priest  and 
a  Protestant  minister,  and  chapels  gave  the  settlers  of  both 
faiths  the  opportunity  to  worship  God  according  to  their  own 
wish  and  choice.  Tlie  Protestant  minister  returned  to  Eng- 
liind  to  denounce  this  liberality  and  make  charges  against 
Calvert,  which  still  stand  on  the  records.     In  founding  the 

(47) 


'If 


48 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


colouy  of  Maryland  his  sou  and  successor,  equally  desirous 
of  encouraging  the  settlers  to  maintain  the  form  of  worship 
they  desired,  took  no  clergymen  olfieially,  but  erected  chapels 
for  each  creed,  leaving  the  people  to  arrange  for  a  ministry 
as  they  chose.     Father  Andrew  White  and  another  Jesuit 
Father  came  out  with  the  first  settlers  as  gentlemen  adven- 
tui-ers,  under  the  proposiils  issued  by  Lord  Baltimore,  bring- 
ing out  mechanics,  laborers,  and  farmers.     As  proi)rietor8 
they  took  up  lands,  and  those  who  followed  them  did  tlie 
same.     These  plantations  afforded  a  support  to  the  Catholic 
clerj^y  in  Maryland,  down  to  th.e  suppression  of  the  Society 
of  Jesus,  the  chapel  being  attached  to  tlie  residence  of  the 
priest,  for  the  laws  of  the  colony  forbade  any  sejiarate  struc- 
ture for  Catholic  worship,  and  when  Eev.  Mr,  Carroll  landed 
in  1774  there  was  not,  so  far  as  we  know,  a  public  Catholic 
church  in  the  province  of  Maryland. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll,  some  years  later,  thus  described  the 
condition  of  Catholics  in  Maryland  during  the  three  quar- 
ters of  the  century  :  "Attempts  were  fre(inencly  made  to  in- 
troduce the  whole  code  of  jieual  English  laws,  and  it  seemed 
to  depend  more  on  the  temper  of  the  courts  of  justice  than 
<m  avowed  and  acknowledged  principles  that  ti.ese  laws  were 
not  generally  executed  as  they  were  sometimes  partially. 
Tnder  these  discouraging  circumstances  ('atholic  families  of 
note  left  their  church  and  carried  an  accession  of  weight  and 
influence  into  the  Protestant  cause.  The  seat  of  government 
was  removed  from  St.  Mary's,  where  the  Catholics  were 
powerful,  to  Annapolis,  where  lay  the  strength  of  the  oppo- 
site party.  The  Catholics,  excluded  from  all  lucrative  em- 
ployments, harassed  and  discouraged,  became,  in  genonil, 
poor  and  dejected. 

'*  But  in  spite  of  their  discouragements  their  numbers  in- 
creased with  the  increase  of  population.    They  either  had 


CONDITION  OF  CATHOLICS. 


49 


clergymen  residing  in  their  neigliborhoods  or  were  occasion- 
ally vifiited  by  them  ;  but  these  congregations  were  dispersed 
at  such  distances,  and  the  clergymen  were  so  few  that  many 
Catholic  families  could  not  always  hear  Mass,  or  receive  any 
instruction  so  often  as  once  in  a  month.     Domestic  instruc- 
tions supi^lied,  in  some  degree,  this  defect ;  but  yet  very  im- 
perfectly.    Amongst  the  poorer  sort,  many  could  not  read, 
or  if  they  could,  were  destitute  of  books,  which,  if  to  be  had 
at  all,  mubt  come  from  England  ;  and  in  England  the  laws 
were  excessively  rigid  against  printing  or  vending  Catholic 
books.    Under  all  these  difficulties,  it  is  surprising  that  there 
remained  in  Maryland,  even  so  much  as  there  was,  of  true 
religion.     In  general  Catholics  were  regular  and  inoffensive 
in  their  conduct ;  such,  I  mean,  as  were  natives  of  the  coun- 
try ;  but  when  many  began  to  be  inijjorted,  as  servants,  from 
Ireland,  great  licentiousness  prevailed  amongst  them  in  the 
towns  and  neighborhoods  where  they  were  stationed,  and 
spread  a  scandal  injurious  to  true  faith.     Contiguous  to  the 
houses  where  the  priests  resided  on  the  lands,  which  had 
been  secured  for  the  clergy,  small  chapels  were  built ;  but 
scarcely  anywhere  else  ;  when  divine  service  was  performed 
at  a  distance  from  their  residence,  private  and  inconvenient 
houses  were  used  for  churches.    Catholics  contributed  nothing 
to  the  support  of  religion  or  its  ministers  ;  the  whole  charge 
of  their  maintenance,  of  furnishing  the  altars,  of  all  travel- 
ling expenses,  fell  on  the  priests  themselves,  and  no  com])en- 
sation  was  ever  offered  for  any  service  perfoi-med  by  them, 
nor  did  they  require  any,  so  long  as  the  produce  of  their 
lands  was  sufficient  to  answer  their  demands.     But  it  nmst 
have  been  foreseen  that  if  religion  should  make  considerable 
progress,  this  could  not  always  be  the  case. 


,  j>  1 


'  Account  of  .K.iulition  of  roliffion  prepared  by  Bishop  Carroll  about 
1 .  .0.    It  Wits  lirst  published  in  the  "  Metropolitan  "  for  1881  by  Rev.  C. 
3 


!| 


'1^ 


60 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


The  Catholics  in  Maryland  from  the  time  of  the  settlement 
of  that  province  had  been  subject  to  the  Vicar-Apostolic  of 
England,  and  when  the  Vicariate -Apostolic  of  the  London 
District  was  established  to  the  bishops  to  whom  successively 
the  management  of  that  part  of  England  was  confided  by  the 
Holy  See.     The  missionaries  extending  their  labors  to  New 
York,  Virginia,  Pennsylvania,  and  New  Jersey,  carried  the 
same  jurisdiction  to  those  colonies.     This  jurisdiction  was 
not  derived  from  any  express  act  of  the  Holy  See,  but  arose 
like  that  of  the  Archbishop  of  Rouen  in  Canada,  from  the 
fact  of  vessels  sailing  from  ports  in  the  jurisdiction  of  Euro- 
pean bishops  who  gave  faculties,  under  a  settled  law  of  the 
Church.     Bishop  Challoner  tells  us  that  the  Jesuit  mission- 
aries in  Maryland  used  at  first  to  ask  rather  for  approbation 
than  for  faculties.     But  after  Pope  Innocent  XII.,  by  his 
Brief  issued  February  14, 1702,  ordained  that  all  missionaries 
in  Vicariates-Apostolic  should  obtain  faculties  from  tlie  bish- 
ops in  charge,  and  not  exercise  any  functions  without  them, 
the  Maryland  missionaries  applied  regularly  for  faculties,' 

"All  our  settltnients  in  America  have  Ijeen  deemed  sub- 
ject in  spirituals  to  the  ecclesiastical  superiors  here,  and  this 
has  been  time  out  of  nn'nd  ;  even,  I  believe,  from  the  time 
of  the  archpriests.  I  know  not  the  origin  of  this,  nor  have 
ever  met  with  the  original  grant,"  wrote  Bishop  Challoner  in 
1756.  "  I  suppose  they  were  looked  upon  as  appurtenances 
or  apperulixes  of  the  English  mission.  And  after  the  divi- 
sion of  this  kingdom  into  four  districts,  the  jurisdiction  over 


C.  Pise,  who  translated  it  from  a  French  version.     The  citation  here  is 
from  Bishop  Carroll's  manuscript. 

'  Pope  Innocent  XII.  had  already  by  his  Brief  "Ad  Pastorale  Fasti 
giuni,"  .lanuary  12,  1697,  revolied  all  personal  exemptions  of  religions  of 
any  order  in  Spanish  America.    Hernaez,  "  Coleccion  de  Bulas,"  Brus- 
sels, 1879,  i.,  pp.  499-500. 


PROPOSED   VICARIATE-APOSTOLIC. 


61 


the  Catholicks  in  those  settlements  has  followed  the  London 
district '  (as  they  are  all  reputed  hy  the  English  as  part  of 
the  London  diocese),  I  suppose  because  London  is  the  capital 
of  the  British  Empire,  and  from  hence  are  the  most  frequent 
opportunities  of  a  proper  correspondence  with  all  those  set- 
tlements. Whether  the  Holy  See  has  ordered  anything  in 
this  regard  I  caimot  learn,"  ' 

A  document  in  the  archives  of  the  Propaganda  shows  that 
action  was  soon  after  taken. 

"  The  Vicars-Apostolic  of  London  since  the  time  of  James 
II.  have  always  had  authority  over  the  English  colonies  and 
islands  in  America ;  but  as  it  did  not  appear  on  what  basis 
this  custom  was  founded,  a  decree  was  obtained  in  the  month 
of  January,  1757,  from  Benedict  XIV.  of  happy  memory,  in 
favor  of  Mgr.  Benjamin  Petre,  Bishop  of  Prusa,  then  Vicar- 
Apostolic  of  London,  giving  him  ad  sexenniuin  jurisdiction 
over  all  the  colonies  and  islands  in  America  subject  to  the 
British  Empire,  and  after  the  death  of  that  prelate  it  was 
confirmed  March  31,  1759,  for  six  years  more  to  Mgr.  Eich- 
ard  Challoner,  Bishop  of  Debra,  now  Vicar-Apostolic  of 
London."  ' 

"  The  said  Vicar- Apostolic  is  so  far  from  any  ambition  or 
desire  of  increasing  his  jurisdiction  in  those  parts  that  it 
would  afford  him  great  pleasure  to  be  relieved  of  a  burthen 
which  exceeds  his  strength  and  to  which  he  cannot  devote 
due  attention.  The  great  distance  does  not  permit  him  to 
visit  them  in  person.     He  accordingly  cannot  have  the  nec- 


'  A  document  showing  Bishop  Giffard's  exercise  of  jurisdiction  in  this 
country  will  be  found  in  "  Catholic  Church  in  Colonial  Days,"  p.  374. 

'  J.  Fisher  {i.  e.,  Richard  Challoner)  to  Rev.  Dr.  Stonc.r,  Clergy  Agent, 
September  14,  1756.    Archives  of  the  Archbishop  of  Westminster. 

»  Letter  of  the  Cardinal  Prefect  to  Bishop  Challoner,  March  31.  1759. 
Archives  of  the  Archbishop  of  Wes'.  minster. 


03 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


essary  information  to  know  and  correct  abuses :  he  cannot 
administer  the  Sacrament  of  Confirmation  to  the  faithful 
there,  who  remain  totally  deprived  of  that  spiritual  aid  :  he 
cannot  provide  ecclesiastical  ministers,  partly  for  the  same 
reason  of  distance,  and  partly  from  want  of  money  to  meet 
the  expense. 

"  If  the  Sacred  Congregation,  moved  by  these  reasons  and 
by  otliers  which  may  easily  occur  to  the  mind,  should  deem 
it  more  suitable  to  establish  a  Vicar-Apostolic  over  the  other 
English  colonies  and  islands,  it  seems  that  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, in  Pennsylvania,  is  the  most  suitable  place  for  his 
residence,  as  being  a  city  of  large  population,  and,  what  is 
more,  a  seaport,  and  consequently  convenient  for  keeping  up 
free  correspondence  with  the  other  provinces  on  the  main- 
land, as  Avell  as  with  the  islands.    This  additional  reason  mav 
be  given,  that  there  is  no  place  in  all  the  English  dominions 
where  the  Catholic  religion  is  exercised  in  greater  liberty.'' ' 
Bishop  Challoner  himself  thus  described  the  condition  of 
his  transatlantic  flock  in  175G  :  ''As  to  the  state  of  religion 
in  our  American  settlements,  the  best  account  I  can  give  is, 
there  are  no  missions  in  any  of  our  colonies  upon  the  Conti- 
nent, excepting  Mariland  and  Pensilvania  ;  in  which  the  ex- 
ercise of  the  Catholick  religion  is  in  some  measure  tolerated. 
I  have  had  diiferent  accounts  as  to  their  numbers  in  Mariland, 
where  they  are  the  most  numerous.     By  one  account  they 
were  about  4,000  communicants ;   another  makes  them  to 
amount  to  about  7,000  ;  but  perhaps  the  latter  might  design 
to  include  those  in  Pensilvania,  where  I  believe  there  may 
be  about  2,000.     There  are  about  twelve  missioners  in  Mari- 
land and  four  in  Pensilvania,  all  of  them  of  the  Societv. 


'  "  Rasguaplio  dcHa  Religione  Cattolica  nelle  Colonie  Iiifjlcsi  d'Anio- 
rica."    Manuscript  .u  the  Archives  of  the  Propaganda,  written  after  17G;!. 


W 


RT.    REV.    RICHARD     CHALLONER,    BISHOP    OP     DBBRA, 
V.A.   OF  THE  LONDON  DISTRICT. 


m 


04 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


■M  ' 


TlicRC  also  assist  feonie  few  Catliolicks  in  Virj^inia,  x[\Mm  tho 
borders  of  Marilaiul,  and  in  N.  Jersey-,  l)orderin<j  upon  J'en- 
fiilvania.  As  to  the  rest  of  tlie  provinces  u])on  the  Continent, 
N.  England,  N.  York,  etc.,  if  there  be  any  straggling  Catli- 
olicks, they  can  have  no  exercise  of  their  religion,  as  no 
priests  ever  come  near  them  :  nor  to  judge  by  what  appears 
to  be  the  present  disposition  of  the  inhabitants,  are  ever  like 
to  be  admitted  amongst  them,"  ' 

The  question  of  providing  these  Catholics  with  a  Bishop 
or  Vicar-Apostolic  had  already  been  discussed  at  this  early 
day.  "  Some  have  wished,"  wrote  Bishop  Challoner  in  175(5, 
"  considering  the  number  of  the  faithful,  especially  in  those 
two  provinces,  destitute  of  the  Sacrament  of  Contirmation 
and  lying  at  so  great  a  distance  from  us,  that  a  Bishop  or 
Vicar-Apostolic  should  be  appointed  for  them.  But  bow  far 
this  may  be  judged  practicable  by  our  Superiors,  I  know  not ; 
especially  as  it  may  not  bo  relished  by  tiiose  who  have  on- 
grossed  that  best  part  of  the  mission  to  thenuselves,  and  who 
may,  not  without  show  of  probability,  object  that  a  novelty 
of  this  kind  nn'ght  give  offence  to  the  governing  part  there, 
who  have  been  a  little  hard  upon  them  of  late  years."  " 

In  a  report  to  the  Propaganda  the  same  year  Binhop  Chal- 
loner said  of  the  British  Colonies  in  America :  "  In  these 
very  nourishing  colonies,  if  you  except  Pennsylvania  and 
Marylatid,  there  is  no  exercise  of  the  Catholic  religion,  and 
therefore  no  missionaries,  the  laws  and  civil  authorities  pro- 


'  .1.  Fisher  (i.  e.,  Richard  Challoner)  to  Rev.  Dr.  Stonor,  Clergy  Agent 
at  Rome,  September  14,  1756.     Archives  of  the  See  of  Westminster. 

"  lb.  Bishop  Challoner,  writing  to  his  agent  in  Rome,  fk-ptember  6, 
1763,  again  speaks  of  the  impossibility  of  his  taking  due  care  of  Catholics 
at  so  great  a  distance  as  those  in  America,  and  mentions  his  belief  that 
for  the  American  Continent  a  Bishop  or  Vicar-Apostolic  in  Canada  or 
Florida  would  be  the  most  proper.  Archives  of  Archbishopric  of  West- 
minster. 


BISHOP  CHALLONER. 


00 


liibititig  it.  In  PeniiHylvatiia  and  Maryland  the  exercise  of 
religion  Ih  free,  and  JesuitH  liolding  facnlties  from  hh  very 
laudably  conduct  the  missions  there.  There  are  about  twelve 
missionaries  in  Maryland,  and,  as  they  w>y,  al)out  sixteen 
tbouwmd  Catholics,  including  children  ;  and  in  Pennsylvania 
about  six  or  seven  thousand  under  five  missionaries.  Some 
of  these  also  make  excursions  in  one  direction  into  the  neigh- 
i)oring  province  of  Jersey,  and  on  the  other  into  that  of  ^'^ir- 
ginia,  ami  secretly  administer  the  sacraments  to  the  Catholics 
residing  there.  It  is  to  be  desired  that  provision  sliould  be 
made  for  the  administration  of  the  Sacrament  of  Confirma- 
tion to  80  many  Catholics  as  are  found  in  Maryland  and 
Pennsylvania,  of  the  benefit  of  which  they  are  totally  de- 
prived. Now  that  Canada  and  Florida  are  reduced  to  the 
British  sway,  the  Holy  Apostolic  See  may  more  easily  efi'ect 
this,  namely,  by  establishing  with  the  consent  of  our  court  a 
Bishop  or  Vicar-Apostolic  at  Quebec  or  elsewhere  and  in- 
vesting him  with  jurisdiction  cer  all  the  other  English  colo- 
nies and  islands  in  America.  This  would  be  far  from  dis- 
])lt-a-ing  to  us,  and  would  redound  greatly  to  the  advantage 
of  sjud  colonies,"  ' 

There  was  a  source  of  danger  to  the  Catholics  in  this 
country  in  the  appointment  of  a  Bishop  which  Doctor  Chal- 
loner  does  not  openly  allude  to,  and  this  was  the  influence 
of  the  Stuarts  at  Rome.  The  Holy  See  recognized  Charles 
Edward  as  King  of  England,  and  the  nomination  of  Catholic 
bishops  in  the  British  dominions  was  virtually  in  the  hands 
of  his  brother  Henry,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Sacred  Col- 
lege and  generally  known  as  the  Cardinal  of  York.  The 
Catholics  -in  Maryland  from  the  beginning  had  never  been 


'  Bishop  Chal loner  to  the  Prefect  of  the  Propaganda,  London,  August 
2,  17«3.    lie  again  urged  the  extension  of  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Bishop 


-of  Quebec  in  a  letter  March  15,  1764. 


il'  . 


36 


LIB'E  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


I  'IR 


strong  partisans  of  the  houfie  of  Stimrt.  In  the  procoedings 
against  the  Society  of  Jesus,  tlie  Cardinal  of  York  hud  ar- 
rayed himself  with  the  enemies  of  the  order,  and  the  Jesuit 
missionaries  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  naturally  feared 
that  any  Uishop  or  Yicar-Apostolie  sent  over  at  his  nomitia- 
tion  would  be  hostile  to  the  clergy  here,  and  as  an  avowed 
Jacobite  might  involve  all  the  Catholic  body  in  the  colonies 
in  the  charge  of  disaffection  to  the  government,  as  adherents 
of  a  claimant  for  whom  they  really  cared  nothing. 

But  Bishop  Challoner  evidently  favored  the  creation  of 
separate  Vicariates  for  America.  In  17*>5  he  wrote  to  his 
agent  at  Home : 

"  What  you  add  of  settling  two  or  three  Vicars-Apostolic 
in  that  [)art  of  the  world,  is  an  object  that  certainly  deserves 
the  attention  of  our  friends.  But  I  foresee  the  execution  of 
it  will  meet  with  very  gioat  difficulties,  especially  in  Mari- 
land  and  Pennsylvania,  where  the  Padri  have  had  so  lung 
{M)ssession,  and  will  hardly  endure  a  Prefect,  much  less  a 
Bishop  of  any  other  institute:  nor  indeed  do  I  know  of  any 
one  of  ours  that  would  be  fond  of  going  amongst  them,  nor 
of  any  that  would  be  proiHjr  for  that  station,  wlio  could  be 
spared  by  us  in  our  present  circumstances."' 

And  at  a  later  period  in  the  same  year  he  recurred  airain  to 
the  subject,  showing  that  it  was  still  under  discussion.  "  I  hope 
our  friends  there  will  not  drop  the  project  of  settling  some 
Vicar-Apostolic  in  those  parts  you  speak  of.  'Tis  morally 
impossible  for  us  to  have  a  pro|)er  superinten«lency  over 
places  so  remote.  And  to  let  so  many  tlousand  Cathclics  as 
there  are  in  some  of  our  northern  Colon  es  to  remain  entirely 
destitute  of  the  Sacrament  of  Confirmation  is  what.  I  am 
sure,  our  friends  will  never  suffer." ' 


'  Bp.  Challoner  to  liev.  Dr.  Stonor,  Feb.  15, 1765.       ♦  lb.,  May  81 ,  1765. 


THE  (jUEBEC  QUESTION. 


m 


Tho  Maryliind  niiHHit)naricH  actiiiilly  triin8iiiitte(l  to  Uishcp 
Clmlloner  u  reiiiuiiHtraiu'f  agiiiiiHt  tlio  appointineiit  of  a  liinli- 
o|)  for  tlio  colonieH,  which  was  Higiicd  by  the  loading  men 
among  the  laity.  BiHhop  Challoner,  however,  did  not  for- 
ward tho  document  to  Ilome,  and  communicuted  hirt  reasons 
to  the  iiiiKHionerH  here.  Tho  Vicar-ApoHtolic!  of  London  evi- 
dently favored  tho  aj)pointinent  of  a  liinhop  in  thin  country, 
or  Honie  means  of  placing  tho  colonies  under  a  J{iHho|)  here, 
because,  as  he  wrote,  "There  be  bo  many  thouHands  there 
that  live  and  die  without  confirmation."  '  The  matter  seems 
to  have  weighed  greatly  on  his  mind.  He  applied  to  Rome  to 
be  relieved  of  the  care  of  tho  Catholics  in  the  American  colo- 
nies, and  expressed  his  regret  when  tho  Sacred  Congregation 
declined  to  act  on  his  petition.  In  reply  ho  wrote :  "  It  is  a 
lamentjd)le  thing  that  such  a  multitude  have  to  live  and  die, 
always  d(;prived  of  the  Sacrament  of  Confirmation.  The 
Fathers  evince  an  unspeakable  repugnance  to  the  establish- 
ment of  a  Bishop  among  them,  under  the  prete.vt  that  it 
might  excite  a  violent  persecution  on  the  part  of  the  civil 
authorities.  But  it  does  not  seem  to  me  that  this  conse- 
(picnce  can  be  feared,  if  tho  Bishop  of  Quebec,  who  is  not  at 
so  very  great  a  distance  from  those  parts,  were  invited  and 
had  the  necessary  faculties  to  administer  Co'itirmutn.n  at 
least  once  to  these  Catholics."  * 

Canada  after  the  conquest  was  long  without  a  bishop,  the 
English  government  rejecting  the  priest  tirst  selected  by  tlfe 
clergy  of  that  province,  but  Bishop  Challoner  and  others  had 
looked  to  the  See  of  Quebec  as  a  mfjans  of  relieving  Catho- 
lics in  the  former  British  colonies. 


"  Bishop  Challoner  to  Rev.  Dr.  Stonor,  Sept.  12.  1766. 

'  Bishop  Challoner  to  his  agent  in  Rome,  June  4,  1771.    Archives  of 
the  Propaganda. 

3* 


58 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


I 


"  If  matters  were  there  once  properly  settled,"  he  wrote,  "  I 
wish  our  friends  would  think  of  charging  the  person  to  be 
chosen,  or  some  ocher  with  the  title  of  Vicar-Apostolic,  with 
the  care  of  those  other  colonies,  which  we  at  this  distance 
cannot  properly  assist,  and  which  are  now  quite  deprived  of 
tl)e  sacrament  of  Confirmation."  ' 

It  seemed  a  very  feasible  plan  that  the  Bishop  of  Quebec 
should  from  time  to  time  visit  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland 
in  order  to  confer  confirmation  and  perform  other  episcopal 
acts.  In  this  plan  the  Maryland  missionaries  seemed  to  have 
concui-red  heartily.  We  know  that  the  venerable  and  devoted 
Superior  of  the  Jesuits  in  Maryland,  Father  George  Hunter, 
set  out  from  that  province  for  Canada,  May  24, 1769,  but  his 
arrival  in  that  province  in  July,  excited  the  alarm  of  the 
English  authorities.  The  favor  shown  the  Catholics  in  the 
conquered  province  had  already  drawn  the  wrath  of  the  old 
colonies  upon  the  British  government,  and  it  was  averse  to 
giving  any  fresh  cause  of  complaint. 

Guy  Carleton  told  Father  Hunter  that  he  neither  could  nor 
would  pennit  him  to  remain,  and  that  he  must  without  de- 
lay depart  from  thence,  which  he  prepared  to  do  forthwith 
on  a  vessel  ready  to  sail  to  England. 

That  Father  Hunter  saw  the  Bishop  of  Quebec  at  this  time 
and  conferred  with  him  is  probable  from  several  circum- 
stances. The  letter  of  Guy  Carleton  stating  that  leather 
Hunter  called  at  once  upon  him,  proceeds  immediately  to 
discuss  the  position  of  the  Bishop.  "  1  represented  to  him 
tint  a  Bishop  was  allowed  the  Canadians  that  they  might 
have  the  advantage  of  a  Provincial  Clergy,  and  that  any 
accession  thereto  from  abroad,  even  from  the  king's  other 


'  Bishop  CLalloner  to  Rev.  Dr.  Stonor,  March  15,  1764. 


THE  QUEBEC  QUESTION. 


59 


dominions,  was  altogether  unnecessary,  and  never  would  be 

allowed."  ' 

The  English  government  had  never  dared  to  establish 
Bishops  of  the  State  Church  in  the  colonies,  every  proposal 
to  do  so  having  excited  an  agitation  among  the  Puritan  ele- 
ment, in  which  many  even  of  the  adherents  of  the  Estab- 
lished Church  joined.  In  1702  Eev.  Mr.  Talbot,  a  mission- 
ary of  "  The  Society  for  Propagiiting  the  Gospel,"  wrote : 
"We  have  great  need  of  a  Bishop  here  to  visit  all  the 
churches,  to  ordain  some,  to  confirm  others,  and  bless  all."  " 
Three  years  after  the  Episcopal  Clergy  signed  a  petition  to 
Queen  Anne  for  a  suffragan  Bishop.'  The  matter  was  pur- 
sued for  some  years  ineffectually,  and  at  last  in  1722  the 
Eev.  John  Talbot,  who  had  been  active  in  the  matter  from 
the  first,  went  to  England,  and  was  consecrated  by  a  non- 
juring  Bishop,  and  some  years  after  the  Rev.  Mr.  Welton 
did  the  same.  These  bishops  dared  not  exercise  their  func- 
tions openly,  but  some  inkling  of  what  had  been  done  reached 
England,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Talbot  was  discharged  by  the  Society, 
and  Welton  ordered  on  his  allegiance  to  return  to  England.' 

If  the  English  government  so  timidly  shrank  from  allow- 
ing a  Bishop  of  the  Established  Church  to  be  sent  to  Amer- 
ica, it  could  not  venture  to  incur  a  storm  of  opposition  by 
authorizing  a  Roman  Catholic  Bishop  to  visit  Pennsylvania 
and  Maryland. 

But  tlie  subject  was  not  dropped  by  Father  Hunter,  and 
he  apparently  received  some  encouragement  from  the  Bishop 


'  Carleton  to  Hillsborough,  July  17,  1769.  Abbe  Verreau's  Repoit, 
1874,  p.  168.    Foley,  "  Records  of  the  English  Province,"  i.,  p.  884. 

'  Talbot  to  Gillingham,  New  York,  November  24,  1702. 

»  Hills,  "  History  of  the  Church  in  Burlington,  N.  J.,"  Trenton,  1876, 
p.  68. 

*  lb.,  pp.  179-204. 


60 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


A    Hi 


of  Quebec.  Tlie  Superior  of  the  Jesuit  mission  sailed  to 
England,  and  was  engaged  in  adjusting  various  matters  con- 
nected with  the  Church  in  America,  which  detained  him  in 
Europe  till  1770.  During  this  period  the  project  of  visiti 
to  the  colonies  by  the  Bishop  of  Quebec  was  taken  up  at 
Rome,  as  though  the  objections  were  regarded  as  merely 
temporary.  The  Bishop  of  Quebec,  when  visiting  Nova 
Scotia,  could  easily  run  down  to  Philadelphia  in  one  of  tlie 
vessels  commanded  by  Catholics,  as  Rev.  Mr.  BaiUy  seems  to 
have  done,  simply  to  go  to  confession.' 

On  the  7th  of  September,  1771,  Cardinal  Castelli  addressed 
Bishop  Briaud  of  Quebec  on  the  subject.     The  Sacred  Con- 
gregation de  Propaganda  Fide,  learning  that  there  were  many 
Cathohcs  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  who,  though  other- 
wise provided  with  spiritual  aid,  had  been  unable  for  want 
of,  a  bishop  to  receive  the  Sacrament  of  Confirmation,  was 
anxious  to  relieve  them,  and  saw  no  way  unless  the  Bishop 
of  Quebec,  as  the  nearest  Catholic  Bishop,  "  would  assume 
that  duty  and  discharge  so  conspicuous  an  act  of  charity." 
"  In  their  name,  therefore,  I  earnestly  beseech  you  not  co 
decline  to  undertake  a  work  of  this  kind,  acceptable  to  God 
and  most  useful  to  our  faith,  for  which  you  have  on  the  an- 
nexed sheet,  faculties  granted  by  our  Most  Holy  Lord.     But 
if  you  are  so  hindered  by  difficulties  that  you  cannot  in  per- 
son discharge  this  ministry,  I  beg,  at  least,  that  you  will 
write  back  as  eariy  as  possible  whether  there  is  any  more 
feasible  way  in  which  the  relief  can  be  given  to  that  orthodox 
flock. " » 

Thatthe  English  government  refused  the  Bishop  permis- 

^^^Ca«grain,  "Un  Pflerinnge  au  Pays  d'Evangeline,"  Quebec,  1887.  p. 

■'  Letter  of  Cardinal  Castelli  to  Bishop  Briand.    Archives  of  Archbish- 
opric  of  Quebec. 


SIGNS  OF  ACTIVITY. 


61 


gion  is  most  probable,  as  the  subject  was  not  again  raised,  and 
no  evidence  or  tradition  exists  of  a  visit  to  tlie  old  Catholic 
colony  by  the  successor  of  Laval. 

The  conferring  of  Confirmation,  the  establishment  of  a 
Bishop,  were  to  follow  one  of  the  great  wars  of  history,  a  war 
which  broke  the  shackles  of  the  Catholic  colonist  in  America, 

The  triumph  of  1763  by  which  the  French  and  Spanish 
settlements  east  of  the  Mississippi  passed  under  British  sway 
apparently  appeased  for  a  time  the  animosity  of  the  people 
of  the  old  colonies  against  the  Catholics  residing  among 
them.  As  no  Catholic  powei  anj  longer  menaced  the  fron- 
tiers, the  professors  of  the  true  faith  of  Christ  were  not  re- 
garded as  in  themselves  a  source  of  danger.  The  existence 
of  the  Catholic  Church  in  Canada  was,  however,  extremely 
distasteful,  but  friendly  intercourse  with  that  province  began 
to  exercise  a  beneficial  influence. 

The  Catholics  in  Maryland  e^Rraed  to  feel  that  a  new  and 
better  era  had  begun.  Fa'  George  Hunter  was  Superior 
of  the  Missions  of  Marylar  ft  i.  i  Pennsylvania,  having  under 
his  charge  Fathers  James  Ashbey,  Arnold  Livers,  Matthew 
Manners,  Augustine  Frambach,  John  Williams,  James  Pel- 
lentz,  John  Lewis,  Frederick  Leonard,  Lewis  Roels,  Joseph 
Mosley,  James  Walton,  Peter  Morris,  James  Beaduall,  and 
Itor)ert  Molyneux  in  Maryland,  with  Fathers  Theodore 
Schneider,  Robert  Harding,  Joseph  Ilathersty,  and  Ferdi- 
nand Farmer  in  Pennsylvania. 

There  were  signs  of  activity  in  many  parts.  At  Frederick 
Father  John  Williams  put  up  a  residence  and  a  chapel,  soon 
to  fall  a  prey  to  the  flames — a  loss  not  soon  repaired,  as  that 
was  a  frontier  town  often  filled  with  alarm  by  fugitives  from 
Indian  foes.'     Father  Hunter  rebuilt  the  manor  house  at 

'  Letter  of  J.  W.,  June  20,  1773.     "  I  find  one  monument  of  my  folly 


02 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Port  Tobacco  in  a  style  tliat  drew  most  exaggerated  accounts 
from  unfriendly  sources.'     Father  Ashbey  rebuilt  the  church 
at  Newtown,  under  the  invocation  of  St.  Francis  Xavier, 
which,  frequently  repaired   and  restored,  still  remains  an 
humble  frame  ed'fice,  with  its  sacristy  and  modest  priest's 
room  above,  its  i^iuare  bell  tower,  and  cross.     "Certainly 
few  Catliolic  churches  in  this  country  can  boast  of  such  aia 
age  as  that  claimed  by  the  Newtown  chapel,"  writes  a  local 
antiquarian.     Its  old  bell   has  a  time-worn  inscription  on 
which  the  date  1691  is  still  visible,  and  which  hung  in  olden 
days  in  the  crotch  of  a  tree.     Annapolis  even  had  its  chapel 
regulai-ly  attended. 

Father  Joseph  Mosley,  who  began  his  labors  in  St. 
Joseph's  Forest  in  1759,  labored  at  Newtown,  St.  Thomas' 
Manor,  Sakia,  and  Newport  before  proceeding  to  the  East- 
ern Shore,  where  his  long  mission  ended  only  with  his  life.' 
In  that  part  of  Maryland  the  chapel  at  Bohemia  was  in  a 
ruinous  house,  and  a  mission  was  projected  at  Tuckahoe, 
and  the  missionaries  were  already  looking  to  the  purchase' 
of  ground  at  Mill  Creek  Hundred,  in  the  present  State  of 
Delaware.' 

"  You  must  not  imagine,"  wrote  Father  Mosley  to  his 
brother,  a  priest  in  England,  "  that  our  chapels  lie  as  vours 
do;  they  ai-e  in  great  forests,  some  miles  from  any  House  of 


destroyed  In  FrcdcTicktown  ;  had  the  house  been  built  of  wood,  'twould 
prolmbly  have  shared  the  same  fate." 

'  ?I"^'i,'  ''  ''''""■  "'  "'«  United  States  of  America,"  London,  1784  ii 
p.  1(9.    The  tax  on  Bachelors  imposed  by  the  Vestry  of  Port  Tobacco 
parish  about  this  time  and  confirmed  by  the  Assembly,  may  have  been 
prompted  by  a  wish  to  punish  Father  Hunter  and  his  associates     The 
pnesta  and  lay  brothers  were  certainly  all  mulcted. 

'  "  Woodstock  Letters,"  xiv.,  p.  61 ;  xiii.,  pp.  73,  284. 

'Very  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll's  Reply  to  Rev.  P.  Smyth,     fiishop  Becker  in 

Catholic  Standard,"  July  30,  1879. 


Mliiiiiiiliili 


ST.  MARY'S  CHURCH,  PHILADELPHIA. 


63 


i  accounts 
he  church 
is  Xavier, 
smaiiis  an 
8t  priest's 
Certainly 
■  such  an 
tes  a  local 
iption  on 
:  iu  olden 
its  chapel 

s  in  St. 
Thomas' 
the  East- 
his  life." 
was  ill  a 
uckahoe, 
purchase 
State  of 

Y  to  his 
18  yours 
Fonse  of 

,  'twould 

1784,  ii., 
Tobacco 
iiive  b<?en 
«9,    The 


Hospitality Swamps,  runs,  miry  holes,  lost  in  the 

Night,  as  yet  and  ever  will  in  this  country  attend  us.  Thank 
God,  we  are  all  safe  as  yet.  Between  three  and  four  hundred 
miles  was  my  last  Christmas  fare  on  one  horse."  ' 

The  churches  which  the  Catholics  were  thus  rearing  on 
American  soil,  betokened  a  greater  confidence  than  they  had 
shown,  and  the  evident  hope  of  more  kindly  consideration  at 
the  hands  of  their  fellow-citizens.  The  buildings  were  near- 
ly all  solid  and  substantial. 

That  in  Lancaster,  begun  on  the  site  of  the  old  church,  stood 
till  far  in  the  present  century,  being  used  as  a  school-house 
after  the  dedication  of  the  present  St.  Mary's  Church  in  185i. 
It  was  of  stone,  and  really  the  work  of  the  congregation,  if,  as 
tradition  tells,  the  men  gathered  the  stones  from  the  farmers 
in  the  country  roundabout  and  brought  them  to  the  spot, 
vt^hile  the  women  mixed  the  mortar  for  those  who  laid  the 
stone.  So  well  was  the  work  done  that  the  church  withstood 
the  elements  till  1881,  when  this  relic  of  colonial  days  was 
torn  down." 

Ground  had  been  secured  in  Philadelphia  by  the  congrega- 
tion of  St.  Joseph,  which  was  feasible  under  a  law  permit- 
ting Christian  bodies  to  hold  lands  for  burial-ground.  The 
Jesuit  missionaries  who  held  the  titles  to  churclres  in  their 
individual  names,  adhered  to  the  same  system  when  it 
was  decided  to  erect  a  second  church.  A  portion  of  this 
land  secured  under  Father  Harding's  influence,  and  measur- 
ing fifty  feet  in  front  and  running  back  eighty  feet,  was  con- 
veyed by  the  trustees  on  the  23d  of  May,  1763,  to  Father 


lecker  in 


'  F.  Joseph  Mosley  to  Rev.  Mr.  Mosley,  July  30,  1764. 

'  S.  31.  Sener,  in  "  United  States  Catholic  Historical  Magazine,"  1.,  pp. 
43,  215. 


/  ■; 


41 


64 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Robert  Harding."  The  erection  of  the  church  was  apparently 
begun  soon  after,  and  completed  in  the  following  year  suffi- 
ciently to  permit  of  its  use. 

The  erection  of  this  church  so  near  St.  Joseph's  may  have 
been  with  a  view  to  a  separate  place  of  worship  for  the  Ger- 
mans, who,  though  under  the  direction  of  another  priest,  had 
attended  St.  Joseph's.  As  reported  in  1757,  the  German 
Catholics  under  Father  Schneider,  in  Philadelphia,  outnum- 
bered those  of  English  tongue  under  Father  Harding,  An 
indication  of  this  desire  to  have  a  distinct  church  and  organ- 
ization for  themselves,  is  seen  in  the  fact  that  the  German 
Catholics  of  Philadelphia  soon  acquired  part  of  the  ground 
purchased,  as  their  separate  cemetery. 

The  venerable  Father  Theodore  Schneider,  the  founder  of 
tliis  German  Catholic  congregation  and  of  the  Goshenhoppen 
mission,  bad  meanwhile  worn  himself  out  in  his  arduous 
labors.  Father  Farmer,  to  whom  the  care  of  the  Philadel- 
phia Catholics  of  German  origin  had  been  assigned  as  resi- 
dent pastor,  hastened  to  the  bedside  of  his  fellow  religious 
and  countryman.  Fortified  by  the  sacraments  of  the  Church, 
Father  Schneider  "  died  on  the  10th  of  July,  1764,  full  of 
years,  and  ricli  in  the  merits  of  a  zealous  missionary  life. 
He  was  buried  in  the  little  church  by  Father  Farmer."  '    lio- 


'  Deed  of  Daniel  Swan  and  others,  individr.iUly  to  Robert  Iliirdinp, 
dated  May  33,  ITfi'^ ;  consideration  five  shillings.  It  is  absolute  thoufrh 
the  words  "  to  build  and  erect  a  chapel  thereon  "  are  interlined.  This 
deed  was  recorded  Jan.  29,  1811,  by  Bishop  Egan,  us  he  states  exi)rc8sly. 

2  "  I.iber  Baptizatorura  et  Matrimonio  Copulatoruni,  uti  et  Defuucto 
rum  Phihulelphiie,  in  Cushenhoiien,"  etc.— "  lii^^torical  Sketch  of  the 
Mi8.sion  of  Goshenhoppen  "  in  Wwidstock  Letters,  v.,  pp.  202-218.  "  In 
funcre  R.  P.  Theodori  Schneider,  S..I.,  1704."  Notes  of  F.  Fanners 
funeral  discourse.  The  inscription  on  Father  Schneider's  tomb  is 
"  Hie  jacet  Rev.  Theodorus  Schneider,  S.J.,  Mir,3ioni8  hujus  Fundator. 
Ohiit  10*  Julii,  1764.     Aetatis  62.     Missionis  24.     R.  I.  P." 


FATHER  SCHNEIDER. 


65 


sides  the  Catholics  in  Philadelphia,  of  whom  the  la8^named 
priest  took  charge,  after  his  transfer  from  Lancaster,  he  also 
took  up  Father  Schneider's  laborious  excursions  through  New 
Jersey. 

On  his  long  and  exhausting  journeys,  Father  Schneider, 
we  are  traditionally  informed,  more  than  once  was  in  danger 
of  his  life  from  bigoted  enemies  of  the  faith,  although  he 
was  generally  supposed  to  be  a  physician. 


ST.  mart's  church  at  LANCASTER,    PA. 


A  remarkable  monument  of  his  patience  and  industry 
exists  in  two  manuscript  missals,  which  in  his  few  and 
unconnected  hours  of  leisure  he  copied  out,  so  as  to  have 
a  missal  at  different  stations,  and  thus  lighten  the  load 
he  was  required  to  carry.  Poverty  made  it  impossible 
to  obtain  a  supply  of  missals,  but  his  patience  supplied  the 
want. 

One  of  these  preserved  at  the  ancient  Goshenhoppen  mis- 
sion which  he  founded  was  written,  as  Father  Schneider 
states  in  a  note,  to  be  used  in  Magunshi,  where  he  said  mass 
every  other  mouth.     It  is  in  perfect  preservation,  a  volume 


*y: 

1 


m 


63 


L/F£  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


six  inches  wide,  seven  and  a  half  long,  and  an  inch  thick,  the 
handwriting  clear  and  beautiful. 

The  church  and  its  attendant  missions  were  for  a  time 
without  a  pastor,  the  schoolmaster,  whom  the  good  i)rio8t  had 
placed  over  the  little  school '  which  he  gathered  at  hi^^  church, 
giving  private  baptism  when  necessary.  Father  Frambach, 
of  the  province  of  Lower  lihine,  who  had  arrived  in  the 
country  in  1758,  extended  his  visits  to  this  district  till  Fatliei 
John  Baptist  de  Ritter,  who  belonged  to  the  Belgian  prov- 
ince, arrived  in  the  country  May  31,  1705,  and  began  in  the 
summer  his  long  and  toilsome  ministration.' 

Of  the  condition  of  the  Catholic  missions  in  Mi/yland  and 
Pennsylvania  we  have  at  this  time  a  glimpse  in  a  contempo- 
raneous report.     The  mission  of  the  Ast^umption,  commonly 
called  St.  Inigoes,  a  plantation  of  2,000  acres,  was  the  resi- 
dence of  a  single  missionary,  who  was  supported  by  the 
produce  of  the  place,  amounting  to  £90.     At  St.  Xavior's 
mission,  Newtown,  were  three  Fathers,     Fifteen  hundred 
acres  here  yielded  £88  for  their  support.     At  St.  Ignatius 
Mission,  Portobacco,  were  three  missionaries.     The  planta- 
tions of  4,400  acres  produced  £188.     The  mission  of  St. 
Francis  Borgia  at  White  Marsh,  with  3,500  acres,  gave  £180 
for  the  maintenance  of  two  missionaries,  Rev.  John  Lewis 
and  an  assistant. 

The  mission  of  St.  Joseph  at  Deer  Creek,  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  colony  of  Maryland,  had  127  acres,  producing 
£24  for  the  support  of  the  Father  stationed  there  :  and  that 
of  St.  Stanislaus,  at  Fredericktown,  had  three  lots  as  yet  un- 


'  This  school  has  been  maintained,  and  its  long  and  \i8cfiil  services  in 
the  cause  of  education  have  been  fully  recognined  by  the  civil  author- 
ities.    Woodstock  Letters,  v. 

»  "  Commencement  et  progrCs  de  la  Religion  Catholiquc  et  Roniaine 
dans  le  Mariland  et  les  autres  provinces  de  I'Amerique  Septentrionale." 


pu4mMunu4mUknp^iempUmCoepU^uirtv€^ 
fj^cminki.  li^M^iw  1^  ■  M/nptuTTi  (ft  fttw  domui  mea  cbmin  omiiorui 
ui  vol  aukm^uirb'tUltt/rn  >mJu/uam  la&mum  ei  tnUdmmquohdit 
mkmpb  Orme 

'^^mt1eijfavt*rn  mm  e4  ie^rvM  hmi  C4t)Mii  (a         Setyre4a 

ioi  kii/tn  ^mUL  Cofnmpnurmhd  celtira4ur',  cpai  rwtfra  m&^np4ioMie,i-. 

(CT7Vnw\  W-i  Tiw/niimfrnMm  Camefti,  ei Mi4  Tne^mjomutnem.. 

Tw  ndn  qvs^Mmw^iXmwnt  Cmrnmtojmimm^ofimrt/icati- 
onim  c^ifcfnf,  efMua4  uwfuMi  im-'J)   eMmtM  //sj  adU/. 

Inrrtm  Cmn  (^iio/rt^m  ad'J)cm</mm  t^audmriJfvffie/m  tneMn. 

la.  e(mamfnia^mim.iaekGfijhfum  iuum /'nDtrrmrto.  efqjfekc- 
■fuUru^-]^  (MMikve4iAmwtwn^nitamM/lcdt>peMri^dc^rtcaJtu}~ 
mmnuxm  inltndf.Tni/tiM^*Mdintt,4- (/(Ml  OmftJ 

'Deui.  qm  cmmsc/kMum  tmmparw/ido  i.iOfme  d  mmfmSo'imni, 
/^*i2/  tnutHpiua  MtpiTtwmiurmiUm  fwtui  tifad  Imprcmuucurren. . 

Z  dcmtc4i)  //^  j  (u(Mj 

'^^j^<'f"^mn4Ci.  idum^hmivtlU^^,qucdrmwinipmiu2e<t^/ga/n, 
OiCitammnui^ 0} mmfijfi^iitcerf  T>tmHninkmi. mfimipt'nh 

(PW  m/niffrafumumMnt,  u^aukm'ikrtncum  M (UviMmi cpe^mfi^ 
mum  fun^  ute^n  ou^smDctt),  q<u  (/pe^rufuf  <rmniain  ffrwUhut-  loruau,- 
qu^  (Xt/tun  (iaju/)'  mmufciii/w  fffinliii  mHuMaiifn  aJi^  qtU^/TipCr- 
Spt^rUuttxda^rjefTnojdpwnht  alifOutanJefmcHantia.Jfcuiidum 


Ss. 


FAC-8IMILE  OF  A  PAGE  OF  FATHER  SCHNEIDER'S  MANUSCRIPT  MISSAL. 


(67) 


08 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


W 


:4 


« 


productive.  The  inissionury,  Rev.  .Tolm  WillianiH,  who  re- 
mained here  till  July  27,  17(j8,  depended  on  a  yearly  allow- 
ance of  £30  from  the  Superior.  The  mission  of  St.  Mary's 
at  Queenstown,  or  Tuckahoe,  had  now  hecome  the  ri'sidence 
of  one  priest,  Father  Joseph  Mosley,  who  derived  £18  from 
a  plantation  of  200  acres  for  his  support.  The  mission  of 
St.  Xavit  r  at  Bohemia,  on  the  Eastern  Shore,  where  the  class- 
icid  school  gave  young  Carroll  his  first  insiglit  into  litera- 
ture, had  at  this  time  only  a  single  priest.  The  extensive 
plantation  of  1,500  acres  yielded  an  income  of  £108. 

There  were  four  Pennsylvania  missions,  that  of  St.  Mary, 
in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  where  two  priests.  Fathers  Rohcrt 
Harding  and  Ferdinand  Farmer,  attended  St.  Jos«'phV  and 
St.  Mary's  churches.  They  were  supported  by  1:  ».">  derived 
from  rent  of  property,  £20  from  London  (the  Sir  John 
James  Fund),  and  £25  regular  gratuities.  The  mission  of 
St.  Paul  at  Cushenhopen,  or  Goshcnhoppen,  directed  at  this 
time  by  Father  John  Baptist  de  Hitter,  had  a  farm  of  500 
acres,  yielding  £45  ;  and  there  was  besides  £20  from  London. 
The  million  of  St.  John  Nepomueene  at  Lancaster  was  soon 
after  directed  by  Father  Luke  Geissler.  The  mission  owned 
three  lots  in  town,  paying  £4  Ss.  ground  rent;  and  £20 
came  from  London.  The  priest  stationed  at  the  mission  of 
St.  Francis  Regis  in  Conewago  received  £20  from  a  farm  of 
120  acres,  and  as  much  from  London." 

There  were  in  Pennsylvania  about  3,000  adult  "  custom- 
ers," that  is,  communicants,  as  many  under  age,  or  not  com- 
municants. The  extent  of  the  excursions  made  by  each  mis- 
sionary covered  a  tract  about  130  miles  long  by  35  broad. 
Each  missionary  post  paid  for  the  support,  bread,  meat,  and 


'  The  reailcr  will  notice  that  the  names  of  these  separate  missionh  differ 
from  those  of  the  churches. 


FATHER  MOSLEY. 


69 


firiiif  of  tlio  Fathers,  and  maintained  a  public  meeting-placo 
of  (Uvino  worship,  without  calling  on  the  tiockH  whom  they 
directed.  From  the  incomes  given  they  had,  too,  to  pay  re- 
pairs, new  buildings,  taxes,  (juit  rents,  doctor's  bills,  and  help 
to  make  up  a  yearly  payment  of  £200,  which  the  American 
mission  owed  to  creditors  in  England.' 

In  Maryland  there  were  estimated  to  be  10,000  adult 
"Customers"  or  Communicants,  and  nearly  iis  many  under 
af'c  or  non-comnmnicants.  The  niissiunaries  were  at  their 
residence  generally  two  Sundays  in  the  month ;  durin:  -  the 
rest  of  the  time  they  were  visiting  the  Catholics  in  their  dis- 
trict, saying  mass  at  private  chai)el8  or  other  ])lace8  where 
Catholics  would  assemble.  By  this  time  the  faithful  were 
dispersed  all  over  the  province. 

The  hospitality  which  the  Maryland  missionaries  were 
called  upon  to  extend  to  their  people,  added  considerably  to 
the  aniutal  expenses.' 

Of  the  mission  of  St.  Mary's  at  Queenstown,  or  Tuckahoe 
as  then  styled,  we  have  fortunately  an  account  by  the  Father 
deputed  to  the  task.  Writing  to  his  sister,  Father  Joseph 
Mosley  says :  "  Its  a  Mission  that  ought  to  have  been  settled 
above  these  60  years  past  by  Reason  of  y"  immense  Trouble 
&  excessive  Rides  it  had  given  our  Gentlemen  that  lived  next 
to  it,  altho'  within  200  miles  of  it :  yet,  till  these  days,  no 
one  wou'd  undertake  it,  either  for  want  of  Resolution,  or 
Fear  of  y"  Trouble,  notwithstanding  it  had  contributed  much 
to  y'  deaths  of  several  of  ours  &  had  broak  y"  Constitution  of 


'  Rev.  F.  Luke  O'Roiley,  of  St.  Croix,  appar-  ntly  a  priest  wlio  had 
come  from  the  West  Indies  for  his  health,  died  at  Philadelplila  in  1768. 
"Pennsylvania  Chronicle,"  December  13-19,  1768;  "New  York  Ga- 
zette," December  26,  1768. 

'  Rev.  George  Hunter,  Statement  sent  to  Mr.  Dennett,  Provincial, 
July  23,  1765. 


1 11 


,il 


;1| 


i 

i 
I* 


I 


J' 


70  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

every  one  wlio  went  down  to  it,  altho'  it  was  but  (wiee  a 
year,  except  Calls  to  y"  Sick.     I  was  deputed  iu  Aug'  1T«14 
to  settle  a  new  |)lace  in  y"  midst  of  this  Mission ;  accordingly 
I  set  off  for  those  Parts  of  y'  country,  I  examined  y"  situa- 
tion of  overv  Congregation  within  fiO  mile  of  it,  and  before 
y"  End  of  that  Year,  I  came  across  y'  very  Spot,  as  Provi- 
dence wou'd  have  it,  with  land  to  be  sold,  nigh  y"  center  of 
y'  whole,  that  was  to  be  tended  :  I  purchased  y"  land  &  took 
possession   in   March   following.     On  y"  l^ind   there  were 
three  Buildings,  a  miserable  Dwelling-Ilouse,  a  much  worse 
for  some  Negroes,  &  a  House  to  cure  Tobacco  in.     My  dwell- 
ing-House woB  nothing  but  a  few  Boards  riven  from  Oak  Trees, 
not  sawed  Plank,  &  these  nailed  togctlier  to  keep  out  some 
of  y"  Coldest  air  :  not  one  Brick  or  Stone  about  it,  no  plaster- 
ing, &  no  chimney,  but  a  little  Hole  in  y"  Roof  to  let  out  y" 
Smoak.     In  this  I  lived  till  y"  Winter,  when  I  got  it  plastcr'd 
to  keep  of  y«  Cold,  &  built  a  Brick  chimney,  y-  Bricks  1  was 
obliged  to  buy  &  cart  above  5  mile.     One  great  Benefit  I 
had,  there  was  Wood  enough  about  me,  so  I  cou'd  not  want 
Fire.     I  have  as  yet  y"  Place  chiefly  to  clear  of  y"  Woods, 
before  I  can  tend  anything  to  any  advantage.     Our  Gentle- 
men have  supplied  me  with  Negroes,  as  many  as  I  wanted  to 
cut  down  y"  Woods,  to  open  a  Plantation,  in  which  I  suc- 
ceed much  to  my  satisfaction :  I  doubt  not  but  in  a  Little 
Time  to  accomplish  my  Ends,  &  whole  Design,  &  to  settle 
here  a  Place  mucli  lo  our  future  Ease  &  Comfort.     It's  true 
y*  Labours  will  still  be  great,  yet  not  to  be  compared  to  what 
they  were,  before  this  Place  was  settled.     The  chief  congre- 
gation is  but  10  mile  off ;  y"  2'»'-20 ;  y'  S"-,  24 ;  4'"  22 ;  5'"  at 
Home,  6"'— 22.   All  these  I  visite  once  in  two  months.   I  have 
two  others  which  I  visit  but  tw"  ;e  a  year.     1"  39 ;  y'  others 
90  mile  off.     This  you'll  say  is  still  hard.     It's  easy  D'  S^-  to 
what  it  was.    Notwithstanding  y"  Trouble  I  had  to  pur- 


FATHER  RITTER. 


71 


1^^ 


jj^gff. 


Fatbi 


oliase  y"  Lind,  to  improve  y'  Place,  to  IniiM  «fe  tend  y' 
workiiiuii,  yet  I  never  neglected  any  one  of  uiy  nii»HionH  on 
their  due  &  set  Time.  It's  true  1  could  not  find  Time  to 
write  to  you,  or  to  any  of  my  Friends,  or  ratiier  liud  I  found 
Time  &  been  Mover  ho  willing,  1  could  not  have  found  proper 
conveniences  to  write,  unleHs  I  had  wrote  u])on  y"  (Irassin 
y"  open  Air.  Hut  now,  Tlumk  God,  I've  tilings  a  little  bet- 
ter settli  d  about  me.  For  I've  now  a  sort  >  f  a  House,  a  Ta- 
ble, a  Desk,  some  Chairs,  Paper  &  Ink,  Cn  idles  &c.,  which 
in  great  part,  I  wanted  all  last  year."  '"  I  have  now  my 
Cows,  my  Sheep,  Hogs,  Turkeys,  Geese  cfe  other  Di^'itrhill 
Fowl,  I've  my  own  Grain  «fe  make  my  own  Bread 

Father  Hitler,  the  energetic  successor  of  the  ^  od 
Schneider,  was  constantly  visiting  his  extended  di.  <^ri . 
faith  was  gaining  at  Heading.  A  clergyman  of  the  "'Mrriii 
of  England  wrote  from  that  place,  June  25,  1765  :  •'  The 
Popish  congregation  hero  are  served  by  a  Jesuit  priest  once 
a  iiioiith,  and  it  appears  are  a  considerable  body  from  the 
number  of  communicants  among  them  on  Trinity  Sunday 
last,  who  are  said  to  liavo  exceeded  200."  •  Father  Hitter 
certainly  secured  ground  in  Reading  that  year,  for  he  records 
an  interment  in  the  Catholic  cemetery  on  the  11th  of  No- 
vember ;  and  his  Register  gives  evidence  that  he  had  reared 
a  little  chur<'h  before  the  summer  of  the  following  year,  for 
on  the  11th  of  May,  1766,  he  records  two  baptisms  in  the 
chapel  at  Reading.' 

He  also  visited  Haycock's,  where  the  Catholics  collected  at 
Ed.  Carty's  house,  Tinicum,  Cedar  Creek,  which  he  latinizes 


'  Father  .Joseph  Moslcy  to  Mrs.  Dunn,  Tuckahoe,  Oct.  14,  1766. 
'  Rev.  Alexandc  r  Murray  to  Secretary  Society  for  the  Propagation  of 
the  Gospel. 
'  Hegistcr  of  Goshcnhoppen. 


Si 


73 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


rr 


ii 


Torreutem  (Jedron,  the  Blue  Mountains,  Mount  Oley  (Mon- 
tein  Oliveti),  Miigunshi,  Falkner's  Swamp,  Rich  Valley,  Alle 
Mangel,  Paint  Forge,  seeking  far  and  wide  careless  and  neg- 
ligent Catholics,  till  in  1771  the  holy  sacrifice  was  offered  in 
Easton  and  Allentown. 

From  St.  Joseph's  Father  Farmer  made  extended  tours 
through  New  Jersey,  from  Long  Pond,  now  Greenwood 
Lake,  on  the  New  York  line,  Ringwood  and  Charlottenburg 
in  that  vicinity,  to  Gothland,  Concord,  Pikesland,  Pilengrove, 
the  Glass  House,  Salem,  and  Cohansey  in  the  South. 

About  this  time  thio  intrepid  priest  may  have  reached 
New  York  ;  but  the  danger  attending  his  visits  api)arently 
prevented  any  record  being  made.  There  is  not  only  tradi- 
tion but  a  positive  statement  of  Archbishop  Carroll,  who  was 
associated  on  the  mission  in  this  country  with  Farnier  for 
twelve  years,  that  that  excellent  priest  had  a  little  Catholic 
congregation  in  New  York  before  the  Revolution.' 

It  would  seem  even  that  he  Inid  a  recognized  chapel  which 
was  burned  during  the  war,  apparently  in  the  great  confla- 
gration which  followed  the  retreat  of  the  American  army 
after  the  terrible  defeat  at  Brooklyn.  Where  this  cha])el 
stood  there  is  nothing  to  indicate,  but  the  fact  of  its  destruc- 
tion by  fire  is  mentioned  some  years  after  by  two  French 
officials  in  their  reports  to  their  government." 


'  In  my  boyhood  I  heard  from  my  grandmother,  Mrs.  M.  \.  (MeCur- 
trtin)  Flanu.tcan,  tliat  Father  Farmer,  whom  she  remembered  distinctly 
and  venerated,  had  visited  New  York  before  the  Uevolution.  Finding 
notliinir  to  corroborate  the  fact,  which  Campln?!!,  De  Courey,  and  Arch- 
bisliop  Hayley  stated  on  my  family  tradition,  I  had  grown  skeptieal,  when 
I  met  the  positive  statement  made  in  the  draft  of  Archbishop  CarroU'a 
reply  to  Smyth. 

"  Letter  of  Barbe  Marbois  to  the  Minister,  December  26,  17R4.  Letter 
of  Mr.  Otto,  Charge  d'Affaires  to  tiie  Minister,  .Tam-ary  a,  178*5.  I  owe 
this  correspondence  to  the  kind  and  friendly  courtesy  of  Mr.  Robert  8t. 


J 


LETTER  OF  FATHER  MOSLEY. 


i'A 


There  is  no  indication  in  Father  Farmer's  registers  of  aiij 
visits  to  New  York,  and  it  is  impossible  to  fix  the  time  when 
he  began  his  labors  in  that  city.  Yet  the  act  prohibiting  the 
very  presence  of  a  Catholic  priest  within  the  limits  of  the 
colony  still  stood  on  the  statute-book  of  New  York  and  was 
a])pealed  to  as  still  in  force,  by  the  British  authorities  during 
the  Eevolution,  as  we  shall  see  hereafter. 

In  1770  Father  Mosley  wrote :  "  I  am  still  living  on  a  new 
settlement,  that  is  a  Child  of  my  own  Care  and  Industry.  I 
was  pitched  upon  as  a  proper  Person  to  begin  it ;  it  had  been 
gi-eatly  wanted  for  many  Years  for  y"  good  of  those  Parts, 
&  by  y"  Plelp  of  God  &  good  Friends,  I  began  it  &  have 
nigh  tiuished  it  to  my  satisfaction :  We  lived  on  it  nigh  7 
Years.  I  confess  it  has  been  a  very  troublesome  Jobb  to 
me ;  y°  hardest  that  I  ever  undertook  in  my  Life.  The 
Fatigues  of  a  Long  and  numerous  Mission,  with  y"  attend- 
ance on  this  new  Place  in  its  Infancy  almost  worsted  me.  I 
suffered  in  it,  for  want  of  almost  every  necessary  of  Life : 
&  wliich  cuu'd  not  be  avoided  by  any  one  that  shou'd  under- 
take it,  as  it  lay  at  such  a  Distance  from  any  of  our  Places, 
from  which  alone  I  cou'd  expect  any  Relief.  But  thank 
God,  I  can  now  almost  live  with  some  Comfort,  as  I  begin 
to  have  things  grow  aljout  me." 

By  this  time  Father  Williams  had  been  succeeded  at  Fred- 
erick by  Rev.  John  Walton.  Father  Joseph  Hathersty,  after 
laboring  at  Newtown,  became  an  assistant  in  Philadelphia, 
leaving  at  his  early  death,  May  8,  1771,  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
five,  the  re])utation  of  a  most  holy  and  zealous  missionary." 

.lohn  (le  Crflvecceur,  biographer  nnd  descendant  of  J.  Hector  St.  John 
de  Crfivecocur,  first  French  Consul  at  New  York. 

'  Rev.  Joseph  Mosley  to  Mrs.  Dunn,  September  8,  1770. 

•  Rev.  W.  P.  Treacy,  "  Catalogue  of  our  Missionary  Fathers."  in 
Woodstock  Letters,  xv.,  pp.  97-^. 


74 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


^  . 


ill 


He  was  soon  followed  to  the  grave  bj  the  Eev.  Robert 
Harding,  who  closed  his  twenty-three  years'  pastorship  of  St. 
Joseph's  Church  in  that  city,  in  his  seventieth  year,  by  a 
happy  death,  on  Tuesday,  September  ,  1772.'  His  un- 
bounded charities,  his  zeal  in  the  nnnistry,  his  patronage  of 
liiierican  art  in  the  person  of  Benjamin  West,  and  his  sup- 
port of  the  claims  of  the  colonists  made  him  respected  and 
venerated  by  all. 

"  The  funeral  was  the  next,  day  attended  by  most  of  the 
clergy  and  respectable  inhabitants  of  the  city  to  the  jilace  of 
interment  in  the  new  chapel  near  the  altar,  where  divine 
service  was  celebrated  and  a  sermon  preached  from  the  pul- 
pit by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Farmer  to  a  very  crowded  auditory." 

In  1770  the  Jesuit  Fathers  in  Maryland,  undeterred  by  the 
increasing  difficulties  of  the  Society,  resolved  to  undertake 
the  erection  of  a  church  in  Bah i more.  The  clergy  of  the 
Established  Church  had  grown  so  unpopular  that  when,  in 
1770,  a  law  granting  a  revenue  to  them  expired,  the  Assem- 
bly refused  to  re-enact  it.  This  left  no  law  on  the  statute- 
book  under  which  they  could  exact  contributions  from  the 
people  except  that  of  1702.  To  this  an  objection  was  now 
made,  that  the  law  was  invalid  and  null,  as  it  was  passed 
after  the  death  of  William  III.  by  an  Asseml)ly  called  under 
him  and  as  of  his  reign.  Catholics  would  not  have  dared  to 
raise  this  question,  but  when  others  did  they  doubtless  prof- 
ited by  the  uncertainty.'     The  discussion  of  the  question  was 

' ' '  Pennsylvania  Packet, "  September  7, 1778.  The  same  paper  contains 
Caspipina  (Duche's)  Letter,  dated  .January  14.  1773,  referring  to  Father 
Ilardinp.  afterward  reprinted  in  "  {'a.spipina's  liCtters,"  London,  1777, 
i.,  p.  136.  Tliere  is  a  tribute  to  Father  Harding  in  "  Travels  from  Paris 
through  Switzerland  and  Italy  by  a  Native  Pcnnsylvanian  in  1801  and 
1802,"  London,  1808,  p.  225. 

'  Oambrall,  "  Church  Life  in  Colonial  Maryland,"  Baltimore,  1885,  p. 
248. 


A  CHURCH  IN  BALTIMORE. 


75 


warm,  and  engaged  able  men  on  both  sides  in  the  journals 
of  the  day,  in  public  meetings,  and  courts  of  law,  till  the 
matter  was  compromised  in  1773.' 

The  "-reat  political  movement  in  the  colonies  against  im- 
posing taxes  on  the  people  of  America  without  their  consent 
colored  and  heightened  the  controversy,  especially  after  the 
Governor  of  Maryland  attempted  to  im])cse  fees  by  procla- 
mation. "  The  truth  is,  the  American  Revolution  had  then 
l)e«nin,  for  it  is  a  mistake  to  suppose  it  commenced  in  the 
days  of  Bunker  Hill  and  Lexington.  It  began  before.  It  had 
its  connnencemeut  in  the  discussions  of  great  principles  of 
government  to  which  men's  minds  were  brought  by  the  agi- 
tation of  various  kindred  questions  in  all  these  colonies  ;  and 
Bunker  Hill  mid  Lexington  were  but  fields  for  the  display 
of  the  first  overt  acts  that  developed  principles  of  some  years' 
standing,  for  the  support  of  which  these  injured  colonies 
had,  not  hastily,  but  deliberately,  resolved  to  peril  all  they 

had." ' 

"  Abont  the  year  1770,"  says  a  gentleman,  who  was  one  of 
the  little  Catholic  flock  at  Baltimore  in  1768,  "  the  Catholics 
having  increased  in  numbers  determined  to  build  a  church. 
A  lot  for  this  purpose,  fronting  on  Saratoga  and  Charles 
Streets,  was  obtained  from  Mr.  Carroll,  and  on  the  northwest 
side  of  it  a  very  plain  brick  building  was  erected,  of  the 
n'odest  dimensions  of  about  twenty-five  by  thirty  feet,  long 


'  Hawks,  "  Contributions  to  the  Ecclesiastical  History  of  the  United 
States,"  ii.,  pp.  203-269. 

» In  a  newspaper  dialogue  "  Second  Citizen  "  defended  a  proclamation 
of  the  Governor,  in  which  he  attempted  to  regulate  fees,  etc.,  without 
the  consent  of  the  Assembly.  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  under  the 
signature  of  "The  First  Citizen,"  attacked  it  with  such  learning  and 
skill  that  Daniel  Dulany,  the  leader  of  the  Maryland  bar,  attempted  to 
answer  him,  but  was  completely  worsted  in  the  controversy.  Scharf , 
"  History  of  Maryland,"  ii.,  p.  127. 


I  ■»■ 


76 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


known  as  St.  Peter's  Church.  Mr.  John  McNabb  erected 
or  superintended  the  building  until  the  walls  and  the  roof 
were  completed.  It  is  i)robal)le  that  the  church  was  then 
used  for  the  purposes  of  worship,  although  in  an  unlinished 
state.  Before  its  completion  the  superintendent  failed  in 
business,  owing  a  debt,  on  account  of  the  building,  of  two 
hundred  pounds,  in  Maryland  currency  (about  five  hundred 

and  forty  dollars).    The  principal  creditor,  Mr.  P ,  locked 

up  the  church  and  kept  possession  of  the  key  until  1 774,  or 
177o.  Griffith,  in  his  Annals  of  Baltimore,  says,  '  By  a  ludi- 
crous suit  agiiiust  Ganganelli,  pope  of  Rome,  for  want  of 
other  defendant  to  recover  the  advances  of  Mr.  McNabb, 
who  became  a  bankrupt,  the  church  was  some  time  closed, 
at  the  commencement  of  the  revolution,  and  the  congrega- 
tion assembled  in  a  private  house  in  South  Charles  Street 
until  possession  was  recovered.'  "  ' 

It  would  seem  that  with  the  growing  feeling  of  toleration 
toward  Catholics,  .iie  Maryland  priests  had  ventured  to  se- 
cure a  piece  of  ground  and  rear  a  log-cabin  on  the  soil  of 
Virginia.  A  Catholic  church  in  Alexandria  is  mentioned  as 
early  as  1772  in  a  work  of  doubtful  authenticity.' 

In  the  following  year  a  number  of  Catholic  Highlanders 
from  Glengarry,  invited  by  Sir  "William  Johnson,  came  over 
and  took  up  lands  in  the  Mohawk  valley,  and  ))rospered  so 
that  further  emigration  to  New  York  was  cert-.in.' 


'  This  is  one  of  the  reminiscences  obtained  by  the  historic  zeal  of  Col. 
B.  U.  Campbell.  "  The  Religions  Cabinet,"  1848.  p.  811. 

•'  Peyton,  "Adventures  of  My  Grandfather,"  London,  1867.  Wood- 
stock Lettt'rs,  xiv.,  p.  97. 

'  "  An  emigration  from  Qlenparry  to  Albany  in  America,  had  suc- 
ceeded so  well  m  to  make  it  certain  that  another  body  of  emipjanls  would 
leave  the  Highlands  in  a  short  time.  The  destitution  in  that  part  of  the 
country  was  verj-  great."    Gordon,  ".lournal  and  Appendix  to  Scoto- 


JESUITS  NOTIFIED  OF  THE  SUPPRESSION.    77 

Wo  have  seen  how  the  Brief  "  Dominus  ac  Redemptor," 
signed  by  Pope  Clement  XIV.,  July  21,  1773,  was  enforced 
at  Bruges.     It  was  soon  enforced  in  the  American  mission. 

On  tlie  6tii  of  October  Bishop  Challoner  transmitted  to 
tlie  clergy  in  the  British  Provinces,  all  members  of  the  Soci- 
ety, the  following : 

"  To  Messrs.  the  Missioners  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  : 
"  To  obey  the  orders  I  have  received  from  above,  I  notify 
to  you  by  this  the  Breve  of  the  total  dissolution  of  the  Soci- 
ety of  Jesus  ;  and  send  withal  a  form  of  declaration  of  your 
obedience  and  submission,  to  which  you  are  all  to  subscribe, 
as  your  brethren  have  done  here  ;  and  send  me  back  the  for- 
mula with  the  subscriptions  of  you  all,  as  I  am  to  send  them 

up  to  Rome. 

"  Ever  yours, 

"  October  G,  1773.  Richard  Deboren,  Y.  Ap." 

The  form  which  they  were  required  to  subscribe  was  as 
follows : 

"  Infrascripti  Congregationis  Clerieorum  regularium  Soci- 
etatis  Jesu  dudum  nuncupati  presbyteri  in  Districtu  Londi- 
nensi  IMarylandiae  et  Penii'^ylvanife  missionarii,  facta  nobis 
declarati(jne  et  publicatione  Brevis  Apostolici  a  Ssmo  Dfio 
nostro  Clem.  PP.  XIV  editi  die  21  Julii  1773  quo  proedictam 
Congregationem  et  Sociotatem  petiitus  supprimit  et  extiiiguit 
toto  orbi  terrarum  ;  jubetque  illius  instituti  Presbyteros  tan- 
quam  Sacerdotes  sjeculares,  Episcoporum  regimini  et  auctori- 
tute  omnino  subjectos  esse,  nos  supradicti  brevi  \)\ew  et 
sincere  obtemperantes  et  omnimodo  dictae  Societatis  suppres- 


ohronicon  and  Monaaticon,"  Glasgow,  1807,  p.  127.     This  is  said  ia  1773, 
so  that  the  emigration  probably  preceded  that  year. 


11 


t   1*' 


>J 


(  t' 


It  1 1 


I 


78 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


sioni  humiliter  pf 'jjiescentes  supramemorati  Episcopi  Vicarii 
apostoliei,  taiupiu;  i  presbjteri  sseculai-es  jurisclietioni  et  regi- 
miui  1108  oiiinino  subjicimus." 

By  this  final  blow  the  English  pro^/ince  of  the  Society  of 
Jesus  was  annihilated  with  its  Aineri<an  mission  ;  its  priests 
became  isolated  clergymen,  fnr  removed  from  a  bishoj),  and 
subject  to  one  unable  to  visit  them,  and  who  had  declared  to 
the  Proj)aganda  his  utter  inability  to  supply  priests  for  these 
ren)ote  churches. 

The  mission  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  in  MarylaiMl  which 
had  suijf'i  xl  from  1634,  a  period  of  one  lunulrel  and 
thirty  nine  years,  was  thus  aimihilated.  Tie  novitiu(e  and 
scliolasticates  in  Europe  which  had  hitherto  snp])lie(l  iuIk- 
sioners  for  t!)e  wo''k-  were  already  suppressed ;  the  Fathers 
became  secular  prici^t;..  but  the  venerable  Vicar-Apostolic 
of  London  had  no  njoans  of  supplying  clergymen  for  the 
extensive  missions  \)\m  ih.o vo  sutldenly  upon  him.  From 
the  \'ory  necessity  <>f  t!i/.  circnmi-itances  Bishop  Challoner 
left  the  Maryland  clergy  as  they  were.  The  Su])erior  of 
the  Mission,  Rev.  John  Lewis,  continued  to  act  as  his  Vicar- 
General,  appiirently  without  a  new  appointment,  and  held 
the  office  till  the  death  of  Bisliop  Challoner  in  1781.'  There 
Mere  in  all  nineteen  Fathers,'  several  of  them  more  than 


'  Some  writers  (see  Woodstock  Letters,  vi.,  p.  10)  assume  that  Father 
Le\\is  iK^.^amu  Vicar-General  after  tlie  suppression  ;  liut  as  the  Superior 
of  the  -Mission  had  apparently  always  been  appointed  Vicar-General,  I  in- 
fer from  Bp.  Curroll's  lanjruage,  that  Father  Lewis  continued  to  act  under 
powers  already  conferred,  and  wliich  ceased  only  on  the  death  of  the 
Jjishop. 

''  At  the  time  ?,f  the  suppression  the  Rev.  John  Lewis  was  Superior  of 
the  Mission,  the  priests  under  him  being  Rev.  George  Hunter  and  John 
Bolton  at  St.  Thomas'  Manor,  Port  Tobacco,  with  Revs.  Louis  Hocls, 
Benedict  \eale,  Arnold  Livers  ;  the  Rev.  James  Walton  and  Ignatius  .Mat- 
thews at  Newtown  ;  Rev.  John  Lucas  and  Joseph  Doyne  at  St.  Inigoes  ; 


n: 


11. 


I  ' 


^J I 


;  1 


n  * 


hi 


80 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


sixty  years,  and  only  one  as  young  as  thirty.  Tliero  were 
some  American  Fatliers  in  Europe  wlio  niiglit  return  to  tlieir 
native  hinti,  but  as  other  iniswionaries  in  Maryland  might 
retire  to  Europe  to  die  among  their  own  Ivindred,  the  num- 
ber was  not  likely  to  increase ;  and  no  stops  were  taken  to 
keep  up  a  supply  of  priests  in  this  country.  One  of  the  mis- 
sionaries, achlressing  his  sister  in  England,  wrote :  "And  now 
I  mention  it,  I  can't  do  it  without  tears  in  my  Eyes.  Yes, 
dear  Sister,  our  Body  or  Factory  is  dissolved,  of  wliicli  your 
two  brothers  are  members;  and  for  myself  I  know  I  am  an 
unworthy  one,  when  1  see  so  many  worthy,  saintly,  pious, 
learned,  laborious  miss rs  dead  and  alive  been  mem- 
bers of  y"  same,  thro'  y"  last  two  ages.  I  know  no  Fault  that 
we  are  guilty  oif.  I  am  convinced  that  our  Labours  aiv  ]m\\\ 
upriglit  &  sincere  for  God's  honour  &  our  Neighbour's  (tood. 
Wliat  our  Supreme  Judge  on  Earth  may  think  of  our  Labours 
is  a  Mystery  to  me.  He  \\?.s  hurt  his  own  Cause  not  us.  It's 
true  he  has  stigmatized  us  thro'  ye  AVorld  with  Infamy  & 
declared  us  mifit  for  our  Business  or  his  Service.  Our  disso- 
lution is  known  thro'  y''  World,  its  in  every  News-Paper, 
which  makes  me  ashamed  to  show  my  Face."  .  ..."  As 


Hev.  .John  Ashton  at  Whitemnrsh  ;  Rev.  Bernrtnl  Diderick  at  Boone's 
Chapel  ;  Rev.  .John  Boone  and  tlie  aged  Hev.  Thos.  Diir.u'es  at  .Mel wood  ; 
Rev.  .Joseph  Mosley  at  Tuckiihoe  ;  Rev.  .James  Franibacli  iit  Frederick  ; 
Rev.  Peter  Morris  and  Matthiiw  Manners  at  Bohemia  ;  Hev.  Ferdinand  I-'ar- 
mer  and  liobert  Molyneux  at  Philadelphia  ;  Rev.  FiUeas  Geisleraiid  Rev. 
.James  I'ellentz  at  Conewaf,'o  ;  Rev.  .J.  B.  de  Hitter  at  Goshenlioiipen. 
(I.ist  compiled  by  Bishop  B.  J.  Fenwick,  follo\v<>d  by  B.  U.  Campbell, 
"U.  8.  Cath.  Mag.,"  iii.,  171,  365,  corrected  in  Woo<lstoek  I.etfers,  vi., 
p.  9  ;  .XV.,  p.  98.)  These  were  soon  joined  by  the  American  Fathers  Syl- 
vester and  .John  Boarman,  who  arrived  March  21,  1774;  by  Fathers 
Charles  Sewall  and  Au,','ustine  .Jenkins,  wlu)  arrived  May  24  ;  and  by 
Father  .John  Carroll,  who  arrived  .June  26,  accompanied  by  p-ather 
Anthony  Carroll,  a  nutivrt  of  Ireland,  who  returned  to  P^ngland  in  the 
following  year. 


THEIR  DEJECTION. 


81 


we're  judged  unserviceable,  we  labour  with  little  Heart  & 

what  is  worse  by  no  Kule.     To  my  great  Sorrow  y"  S ty 

is  abolished,  with  it  must  dy  all  that  zeal  that  was  founded  & 
raised  on  it.  Labour  for  our  Neighbour  is  a  J  .  .  .  .  t's 
Pleasure,  destroy  y*  J  .  .  .  .  t  «fe  Labour  is  painful  &  dis- 
agreeable. I  must  allow  with  Truth,  that  what  was  my 
Pleasure  is  now  irteome.  Every  Fatigue  I  underwent 
caused  a  secret  &  inward  Satisfaction,  its  now  unpleasant  & 
disagreeable,  every  Visit  to  y°  Sick  was  done  with  a  good 
Will,  its  now  done  with  as  bad  a  one.  I  disregarded  this 
unhealthy  climate  &  all  its  Agues  &  Fevers,  which  have 
realy  paid  me  to  my  Heart's  Content,  for  y"  sake  of  my  Eule. 
Y'^  Night  was  agreeable  as  y'  Day,  Frost  &  Cold  as  a  warm 
Fire  or  a  soft  lied,  y"  excessive  Heats  as  welcome  as  a  cool 
Shade  or  pleasant  Breezes,  but  now  y"  scene  is  changed  y" 
J  ...  t  is  metamorphosed  into  I  know  not  wliat,  he  is  a  Mon- 
ster, a  scare-crow  in  my  Ideas.  With  Joy  I  impaired  my  Health 
«fe  broak  my  Constitution  in  y"  Care  of  my  Flock.  It  was  y* 
J  . . .  t's  call  it  was  his  whole  Aim  &  Business,  The  J  ....  t 
is  no  more,  he  now  endeavours  to  repair  his  little  Remains  of 
Health  &  his  shatter'd  Constitution  as  he  has  no  Rule  calling 
him  to  expose  it."  ' 

Yet  this  natural  discouragement  soon  vanished.     Every 


'  Letter  to  Mrs.  Dunn,  Blndon,  England,  dated  3d  October,  1774,  and 
signed  ".Jos  Mosley  S.J.  forever  aa  I  think  and  hope."  Not  a  single 
missionary  employed  on  the  Mission  here  withdrt;w  to  England  as  the 
troubles  a]iproached,  or  while  the  war  was  in  progress,  sought  protection 
from  the  British.  In  view  of  the  shamefiil  charges  made  against  the 
patriotism  of  our  Catholic  clergy  by  modern  enemies,  it  is  well  to  bear 
this  fact  in  mind.  The  clergyman  who  came  over  with  Dr.  Carroll, 
crossed  the  ocean  on  private  business,  and  returned  when  it  was  settled, 
lie  was  never  actually  attached  to  the  American  mission.  The  contractions 
in  the  letter  .scarcely  need  explanation.  The  words  are  "  Missioner," 
"  Society,"  ".Jesuit." 


4* 


83 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


single  missionary  remained  at  his  post,  and  the  Ciitln>lic8 
were  not  deprived  ol"  their  disinterested  pastors.  One  gi-eat 
danger  was  averted. 

Meanwhile  the  English  colonies  in  \u!i>nca  had,  from  the 
close  of  the  war  with  France,  h  fu  u  I'l  .  "istant  fever  of 
political  excitement.  Acting  na  sci^aiiio  governments,  the 
several  colonies  had  furnished  soldiers  and  supplies  for  that 
struggle,  hut  after  the  peace  ut  Paris  they  found  that  England 
insisted  on  taxing  them  tliraigh  her  Parliament,  in  which 
America  had  no  reprt-eiitation.  There  was  at  first  no  tlwui'^'it 
of  independence.  Even  as  event  after  event  increased  the 
colonial  feeling  agninst  England,  neither  the  colonies  nor  the 
mother-country  seemed  to  have  the  least  forecast  of  the  ulti- 
mate result,  althou'rii  it  was  freely  canvassed  in  the  council  of 
the  French  kiiig.'  The  colonists  claimed  only  their  rights  as 
British  subject-  -ud  were  as  proud  of  being  Mich,  as  any  who 
resided  in  Enghind  itself.  As  late  as  June,  1775,  the  Con- 
tinental Congress  asked  God  to  bless  "our  rightful  sovereign 
King  George  III  "  Engliind  neither  granted  relief  nor  ex- 
erted force,  but  kept  agitation  alive,  till  all  loyalty  insensibly 
died  out  in  the  hearts  of  her  American  subjects.' 

The  attempt  to  raise  a  revenue  by  the  Stamp  Act,  which 
required  all  legal  and  comn.ereial  documents  to  be  on  stamped 
paper,  roused  a  firm  and  defiant  ojiposition,  in  wbicl.'  the 
stamps  were  destroyed  and  the  English  ofticials  a[)pointed 
were  forced  to  promise  not  vo  act.  The  hw  was  repealed, 
but  as  the  principle  that  Parliament  had  tiie  right  to  tax  tho 
colonies  was  not  abandoned,  the  spirit  of  oppositi'    ,  though 


'  Collcvilk',  "  Les  Missions  SecriStes  du  GenSral-Major  Baron  de  Kalb," 
Paris.  mS'}. 

'See  Letters  of  John  Jay  and  John  Adnras  in  Bottn,  "Is.  E.  Hist. 
Gen.  Tlcg.,"  xxx.,  p.  326. 


^S^-* 


PATRIOTIC  FEELING. 

latent,  was  watchful  and  suspicious.'  Wlien  Parliaint.it  ai- 
tenipted  to  tax  tea,  paints,  and  ^lass,  the  opposition  becanie 
even  more  bold  and  decided,  unawod  by  the  prewetjce  of 
troops,  and  tlie  colonies  met  in  a  Congress  which  hoped  to 
justify  its  name  of  Continental.  The  dispatch  of  tr()Oi)s  to 
Auiorica,  tin-  dosing  of  the  port  of  Jioston,  and  the  Quebec 
Act  precij...  ited  events,  and  the  attempt  of  (ieneral  Gage 
iitl3o8ton  10  seize  colonial  ammunition  and  stores  brought  on 
the  first  engagement  between  English  soldiers  and  American 
militia. 

In  the  general  fci'ling  that  pervaded  the  colonies  the  Cath- 
olics in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  were  in  ])erfect  harmony 
with  their  fellow-colonists.  Among  their  clergy  those  of 
Anieric!!"  birth  like  Carroll,  and  ten  others  who  soon  after 
returned  from  Europe,  were  ardent  in  the  claim  ]  forth 
for  the  rights  of  British  subjects  which  were  denii  .  them. 
Among  those  of  English  birth  the  feeling  was  apparently 
strong,  as  there  is  no  indicatiun  that  any  of  them  sought  to 
return  to  England,  and  Duche  in  his  "  Caspipiiui's  Letters" 
bears  tribute  to  the  patriotic  feeling  displayed  by  Father 
Robert  Harding  at  Philadelphia."  Among  the  German 
Catholics  and  tlieir  clc-ury,  ♦^o  whom  the  political  ques- 
tions 'vere  not  as  dear  u  in  lligible,  there  was  probably 
less  act .  vity. 

1  jje  hostile  feeh't  ,  oked  by  the  Quebec  Act  was  evanes- 
cent. The  child  fear  magi  ;  i^'  dangers  soon  gave 
]>lacc  to  the  practical  i^uestio        i-foro  them. 

The  newspapers  in  the  colonicf  »>  eh  before  1Y03  teemed 
witii  articles  ai.  1  pa    ages  f.  "  i>f  hostility  to  the  Church,  as- 


'  "  Pennsylvania  1    cket,"  June  12,  1775. 
The  Letter  was  printed  in  the  "  Pennsylvania  Packet  '  ember  ' 

1772  in  which  also  ippeared  the  notice  of  Father  Hardinjz         ith. 


84 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


IM 


i  \ 


I  if 


I 


H!         5 


8U111C1I  a  (li£feront  tone  after  the  conquest  of  Canada,  and 
anti-Catholic  items  became  rare.' 

Religious  liberty  became  a  theme  for  popular  diecussion, 
and  when  <nce  treated  could  not  be  restricted  to  the  old 
narrow  limits."  People  began  to  doubt  whether  "  Popery  " 
was  such  "  an  implacable  enemy  to  the  general  liberties  of 
mankind":  and  the  discussions  of  ' ,u  Quebec  Act  after  the 
first  outburst  of  the  old  virulence,  led  to  more  kindly  fcel- 


CHURCn  OP  ST.   lONATIUB,  ST.   INI0OE8,  MD. 

ings.  The  best  token  is  seen  in  the  open  way  in  which 
Catholics  erected  churches,  and  extended  their  missions. 
Not  only  were  the  houses  of  the  clergy  restored  in  St. 
Mary's  County,  a  residence  at  St.  Inigoes,  and  a  nev;  cliapel 


'  See  Extrncis  from  Colonial  Papers  in  "  U.  8.  Catholic  Hist.  Mng.," 
vol.  i..  N.  Y.,  1887. 

'  8ec  "The  Palladium  of  Conscience  :  or,  the  Foundation  of  Relipious 
Liberty,  Displayed,  Asserted,  and  Established."  Philadelphia,  1773. 
Partii'.,  pp.  27,  47.  69,  105, 


CARROLL  AT  ROCK  CREEK. 


erected  iit  Newtown  by  Father  Ashbcy  ;  a  new  residence  at 
St.  Thoniiw'  by  Father  CJeorge  Hunter,  the  Frederick  cliurch 
mid  houHe  enlarged,  the  church  at  Baltimore,  begun  in  appar- 
ent defiance  of  tlie  law,  was  attended  throiigli  the  period  of 
tlie  Revolution  by  Rev.  IJernard  Diderick.  In  Pennflylva- 
nia  also,  at  Lancaster  and  Philadelphia,  even  greater  progress 
was  made. 

Sucli  was  the  condition  of  the  Church  in  this  country  when 
the  Rov.  John  Carroll  returned,  with  the  view  of  devoting 
the  rcHt  of  bin  life  to  mission  work  among  the  people  of  the 
colonics,  whose  political  and  religious  future  were  alike  in  a 
critical  state. 

When  the  suppression  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  dissolved 
the  English  province  and  its  Maryland  mission,  the  members 
in  America  formed  a  kind  of  association,  using  the  old  jjrojv 
erty  to  afford  from  its  annual  income  a  support  to  all  the 
clergy,  then  somr5  nineteen  in  number.  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll 
was  invited  to  join  this  association,  but  as  it  lacked  a  formal 
Bimction  of  the  Vicar- Apostolic,  and  of  the  authorities  in 
Rome,  prudence  dictated  caution,  and  he  resolved  to  act  sim- 
ply as  a  missionary  priest  under  the  faculties  he  held,  rather 
than  become  subject  to  removal  from  place  to  ])lace. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll  wished  to  take  up  his  residence  with 
his  mother  and  begin  a  mission  in  that  district,  which  was 
without  a  resident  priest.  Possessing  faculties  from  the  Vicar- 
Apostofc  in  England,  he  recognized  fully  his  Vicar-General 
in  America,  but  did  not  feel  inclined  to  yield  obedience  to  a 
body  constituted  without  authority  from  the  Bishop  or  the 
Holy  See.  His  life  as  a  religious  had  been  spent  on  the  Con- 
tinent, where  France  and  Austria  had  seized  all  the  property ; 
the  members  of  the  Society  in  England  had  not  regarded  him 
as  entitled  to  any  share  in  the  income  from  any  property 
there,  inasmuch  as  he  had  never  been  on  the  English  mission. 


m-   ( 


'      S, 


i 


86 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


i 


He  was  now  cut  off  from  any  share  in  the  property  of  the 
Society  in  his  native  Maryland,  and  having  on  making  his 
hist  vows  resigned  his  property  to  his  brothers  and  sisters, 
lie  was  utterly  without  means. 

His  mother  and  sisters  had  removed  their  residence  from 
his  native  place,  Upper  Marlborough,  to  Kock  Creek,  near 
the  Potomac,  about  ten  miles  from  the  present  capital  of  the 
country.  Here  the  American  priest  beheld  a  field  of  labor 
where  much  could  be  accomplished.  There  were  Catholics 
in  the  neighborhood,  and  many  at  greater  or  less  distance 
who  could  be  reached  l>y  a  priest  willing  to  devote  himself 
to  their  service.  There  were  stations  in  Virginia  which  iiad 
been  occasionally  attended  by  the  P'athers  till  the  difficulties 
of  the  order  diminished  the  nuu'ber  of  missioners,  and  none 
came  from  abroad  to  replace  th,  o  whose  vigor  was  impaired 
by  age  or  over-exertion. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll  could  attend  the  district  extending 
from  his  motlier's  house  at  Rock  Creek  to  his  brothcr-in  law 
Brent's  mansion  at  Aquia  ('reek  in  Virginia,  much  more  suc- 
cessfully than  any  other  priest,  and  the  Vicar-General  appar- 
ently allotted  the  district  expressly  to  him. 

A  room  in  the  mansion  at  Rock  Creek  was  the  first  chapel, 
and  the  people  gathered  gratefully  from  the  surrounding 
country,  to  hear  mass  and  revive  their  faith  in  the  clear  prac- 
tical instructions  of  the  clergyman  who  had  won  attention  in 
the  polished  literary  circles  of  France  and  the  Netherlands 
as  well  as  in  the  castles  of  the  English  nolnhty.  The  little 
congregation  at  Rock  Creek  grew  so  rapidly  that  it  was  soon 
necessary  to  prepare  a  special  building,  and  the  erection  of 
St.  John's  church  was  begun  about  half  a  mile  from  his 
residence. 

It  was,  from  idl  we  know,  the  first  church  under  secular 
clergy  established  in  Maryland,  and  the  first  after  St.  Peter's 


I 


THE  VIRGINIA  MISSION. 


87 


churcli  in  Baltimore,  reared  by  a  congregation  which  sup- 
ported a  pastor — a  system  common  enough  to  us  now,  but 
till  then  unknown  in  Maryland,  where  tht  Jesuit  Fathers 
had  !naintained  the  services  of  religion  at  their  own  expense. 

The  Maryland  distrjct  thus  undertaken  by  Rev.  Mr.  Car- 
roll had  generally  been  visited  at  times  from  Port  Tobacco: 
the  Virginia  side  was  one  of  great  danger.  It  is  said  that 
Father  Frambach  from  Frederick,  visited  it  only  by  night, 
and  slept  beside  his  horse,  ready  to  mount  and  put  him  to  his 
full  speed  at  the  slightest  warning ;  and  that  more  than  once 
the  bullets  of  the  pursuers  whistled  around  the  head  of  the 
devoted  jii'iest,  for  whose  blood  men  were  thirsting  in  their 
hatred  of  the  Church  of  the  Living  God. 

By  the  firesides  of  Catholic  Maryland  was  long  told  how 
the  great  Father  George  Hunter,  whose  reputation  for  sanc- 
tity was  general  and  enduring,  was  once  summoned  at  night 
by  two  young  men  who  guided  him  to  the  Potomac,  ferried 
him  over  by  quick  and  noiseless  strokes  of  the  oars,  then  gal- 
loped with  him  to  the  cottage  on  horses  ready  for  them. 
After  the  dying  Catholic  had  been  ])repared  by  all  the  blessed 
means  the  Church  affords  for  tlie  terrible  hour,  !iis  mysterious 
guides  conducted  the  good  priest  down  the  Virginia  roads, 
across  the  Potomac  to  his  own  door,  and  there  in  the  bright 
moonlight  vanished  utterly  from  sight.  No  such  youths  were 
known  among  the  Catholics  on  either  side  of  the  river. 
That  good  Father  Hunter  believed  them  to  liave  b^en  angels 
sent  to  guide  him  to  a  soul  whose  prayers  had  reached  the 
throne  of  God,  has  ever  since  been  the  tradition  in  Maryland.' 


'  Fiithcr  Franibiich'H  peril  is  reft'rrcd  to  by  several  writers.  "  The  Ju- 
bilee at  Mount  St.  Mary's,"  New  York,  1859,  p.  32;  "  U.  8.  Catholic 
Maarazine,"  iii.,  p.  171.  The  ineident  in  the  life  of  Father  George  Hun- 
ter is  pix-pn  on  the  authority  of  Father  Charles  Stonestreet,  in  ' '  Tlio 
Messonarerof  the  Sacred  Heart,"  xxii.,  p.  609. 


/  # 


H    II        » 


88 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Yet  Virginia  had  been  the  scene  of  the  labors  of  Domini- 
can and  Jesuit  before  Protestantism  set  foot  on  its  soil, 
which  had  been  bedewed  with  the  blood  of  martyrs.  In  the 
very  outset  of  Maryland  history  it  had  been  a  field  where 
Father  Altham,  the  companion  of  Andrew  White,  had 
labored. 

Such  was  the  field  on  which  the  American  priest,  restored 
to  his  native  land,  began  the  exercise  of  his  ministry.  "  He 
was  obliged  to  keep  a  horse  for  the  long  journeys  required  in 
visiting  his  regular  stations  and  attending  the  sick.  It  is  not 
improbable  also  that  he  observed  the  custom  of  his  brother 
priests  in  Maryland  at  that  time  of  inviting  to  breakfiist 
those  who  had  come  from  a  long  distance  to  partake  of  holy 
comnmnion— a  kind  and  thoughtful  proceeding  no  dcubt, 
and  characteristic  of  Maryland  hospitality,  but  none  the  less 
a  pecuniary  burthen  to  the  host,"  and  in  his  case  a  heavy 
one  in  view  of  his  slender  resources.' 

Til-  pastor  of  Rock  Creek  gave  his  brief  and  occasional 
moments  of  leisure  to  study,  though  he  suffered  from  a  want 
of  books,  his  Uttle  personal  collection  having  been  seized  by 
the  Austrian  government,  and  there  being  no  large  library 
accessible  to  him.  He  kept  up  a  correspondence  with  friends 
and  persons  of  distinction  abroad  :  and  at  the  same  time 
many  gentleinen  .f  Virginia  and  Maryland  sought  the  ac- 
quaintance and  enjoyed  the  conversation  of  the  polished 
scholar,  familiar  with  many  European  languages,  fully  versed 
in  questions  relating  to  the  different  countries  of  the  Old 
World.     He  impressed  all  with  his  abi'ity  and  piety,  as  well 


•  Woodstoc'.!  Letters,  vii..  p.  11.  The  little  missal  used  by  R«'v.  Mr. 
Carroll  durinK  his  mission  lifr  iit  Rock  Crock  was  presented  to  George- 
town Colleire  by  Bishop  C:hftiK-he,  of  Natchez,  and  is  preserved  in  the 
Library.     lb.,  p.  73.     "  Georpefown  College  .lournivl,"  vi. 


CHAPEL  AT  ROCK  CREEK. 


89 


as  by  a  cultivated  grace  and  refinement,  wliich  was  his  cliar- 
acteristic  through  hfe.* 

Writing  in  1844,  Colonel  Bernard  U.  Campbell  says  of  the 
chapel  at  Rock  Creek,  then  standing  : 

"  At  the  distance  of  half  a  mile  from  his  residence  was  the 
church  in  which  he  officiated  on  Sundays  and  hohdays,  an 
humble  frame  building  of  about  thirty  feet  square,  which 
still  remains,  though  often  patched  and  seldom  painted,  a 
frail  and  tottering  memorial  of  its  saintly  pastor,  and  an  evi- 
dence of  the  humble  condition  of  Catholics  sixty  years  ago."  ' 

Unfortunately  no  sketch  of  it  seems  ever  to  have  been 
made  before  it  was  removed,  some  years  afterward,  to  give 
place  to  a  more  substantial  edifice.' 

"When  Florida  by  the  treaty  of  1763  ceased  to  be  a  part  of 
the  dominions  of  his  Catholic  Majesty,  the  inhabitants  at  first 
regarded  the  change  as  one  to  be  of  short  duration.  Many 
prepared  to  remain,  but  the  violence  of  Major  Ogilvie  and 
the  first  British  olficials  soon  produced  a  change,  and  the 


'  B.  U.  Campbell,  "  Life  and  Times  of  Archbishop  Carroll."  '•  U.  S. 
Catholic  Magazine,"  iii.,  p.  365. 

»  lb.,  p.  793. 

'  My  eflforts  to  obtain  a  sketch  or  detailed  description  of  this  church 
have  been  fruitless.  "  Since  that  time,"  says  the  historian  of  George- 
town College  in  the  Woodstock  Letters  (vii.,  p.  14),  "the  old  building 
has  been  replaced  by  a  larger  frame  structure,  more  neatly  kept  and  at- 
tended twice  a  month  by  the  pastor  of  Hockville.  It  bears  the  name  of 
St.  .lohn's,  as  doubtless  its  predecessor  did — a  tribute  by  the  original 
builder  to  the  apostle  whose  name  he  bore,  and  whose  virtues  he  imitated. 
Around  it  lie  the  graves  of  many  Carrolls,  relatives  of  the  first  pastor,  a- 
were  also  the  Brents,  Diggeses,  and  perhap."  Fen  wicks,  Neales,  etc.,  who 
are  buried  here.  Within  the  enclosure  of  the  Ijrents  is  the  grave  of  his 
venerable  mother ;  the  headstone,  now  after  more  than  fourscore  years, 
sunk  so  as  partly  to  obscure  the  inscription.  The  old  mansion,  with  its 
holy  memc.ries  of  mother  and  son,  was  destroyed  by  fire  many  years 
since,  and  its  site  is  occupied  by  a  modern  dwelling." 


'  ^'.mt 

'  N 

m 

90 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Spanish  population  emigrated  almost  in  a  body.  To  protect 
the  church  property  from  seizure  by  the  British  government, 
Don  Juan  Jose  Eligio  de  la  Puente,  an  officer  appointed  by 
the  Spanish  monarch,  conveyed  in  trust  to  John  Gordon,  for 
the  nominal  consideration  of  $1,000,  the  Bishop's  House,  on 
the  public  square ;  the  Convent  of  St.  Francis  for  $1,500, 
and  the  church  of  Nuestra  Seuora  de  la  Leche  for  $300 ;  and 
convoyed  the  site  of  the  new  parish  church  and  the  still  un- 
finished walls  to  Jesse  Fish  for  $100.' 

Bishop  Morel,  of  Santiago  de  Cuba,  by  a  decree  d-.ted 
February  6, 1761,  ordered  an  inventory  to  be  made  of  all  the 
vestments,  altars,  statues,  bells,  and  plate  beh)nging  to  the 
Parish  Church  and  Confraternities  of  St.  Augustine,  and 
these  articles  were  conveyed  to  Havana  in  the  schooner 
"  Nuestra  Senora  de  la  Luz."  ' 

In  direct  violation  of  the  treaty  the  Catholic  inhabitants 
were  at  once  subjected  to  vexations  ;  the  Bishop's  house  was 
seizetl  for  the  use  of  the  Church  of  England  ;  the  Franciscan 
Convent,  inasmuch  as  it  had  the  best  well  of  water  in  the 
place,  was  seized  for  the  use  of  the  British  troops,  and  extoa- 
give  l)arracks  were  erected  on  the  old  foundations,  with  lum- 
ber imported  from  New  York.'     A  general  system  of  de- 


'  The  project,  however,  failed  Gordon  was  ii  wealthy  South  Caroli 
nian  and  Fish  his  agent.  They  purchased  largely  from  the  outfjoin- 
Spanianls,  but  the  new  English  authorities  refused  to  allow  the  deeds  to 
bt!  recorded.  The  English  officials  disregarded  (intirely  the  conveyances 
of  the  church  iiroperty,  and  proceeded  to  take  possession  of  it,  in  deti- 
ance  of  the  provisions  of  tin-  treaty. 

'  Reports  of  Don  Josf  del  Kosario  Natte  in  Report  of  Solicitor  of  the 
Treasury.  Januarj-  27,  1847  (Senate),  pp.  27-30.  "  The  Case  of  Mr.  .luhn 
Gordon,  with  respect  to  the  title  to  cert4«in  lands  in  East  Florida  [lur 
cha.sed  of  His  Catholick  Majesty'*  »'»'  i^cto  by  him  and  Mr.  Jesse  Fish," 
London,  177'2. 

■■'■  Roman,  "A  Concise  Natural  History  of  E»ist  and  West  Florida," 


DESOLATION  IN  FLORIDA. 


91 


structioh  was  inaugurated.  Of  the  suburbs  of  St.  Augustine 
uo  trace  was  soon  left,  except  the  church  in  the  Indian  town 
to  the  north  of  the  city,  which  the  Eiighsh  converted  into  a 
hospital.  The  steeple  of  the  Franciscan  church  stood  line  a 
monument  of  the  sacrilegious  work,  and  the  parish  church 
was  soon  little  more  than  a  heap  of  ruins. 

Thfc  fifclesiastical  property  at  Pensacola  was  no  better  re- 
spected, and  as  far  as  possible  all  trace  of  her  ancient  Catli- 
olicfty  was  swept  from  the  soil  of  Florida. 

let. by  the  twentieth  article  of  the  treaty  between  Spain 
and  England,  the  latter  power  had  pledged  itself  to  grant  to 
the  inhal)itants  of  Florida  "  the  liberty  of  the  Catholic  relig- 
ion, and  that  his  Britannic  Majesty  will,  in  consequence,  give 
the  most  exact  and  the  most  effectual  orders  that  his  new 
Eoman  Catholic  subjects  may  profess  the  worship  of  their 
religion  according  to  the  rites  of  the  Koinish  Church,  so  far 
as  the  laws  of  Great  Britain  permit.  His  Britannic  Majesty 
further  agrees  that  the  Spanish  inhabitants,  or  others  who 
had  been  subjects  of  the  Catholic  Ki.i^,  in  the  said  countries, 
may  retire  with  all  safety  and  freedom,  wherever  they  think 
proper,  and  may  sell  their  estates,  provided  it  be  to  his  Bri- 
tannick  Majesty's  subjects."  ' 

In  reorganizing  his  new  possessions  the  King  of  England, 
by  his  royal  proclamation  of  October  7,  1763,  erected  the 
two  governments  of  East  and  West  Florida,  the  Apalaehi- 
cola  being  the  dividing  line.  In  the  latter,  wliich  extended 
to  the  Mississippi,  Mobile,  ceded  by  France,  was  inrluded. 
The  inhabitants  in  this  western  part,  like  the  French  in 
Louisiana,  remained  as  a  rule  in  the  country.    The  Capuchin 


Pliiliidelidiia,  1776,  pp.  261-1;  Hnldemand  to  Chirfholm,  Novembir  M, 
17(t8;  Biymner,  "Report  :>\-  ij.inadian  Archives,"  1885,  p.  449. 
'  For  the  legal  effect  -if  tuis  clause,  see  p. 


i     >» 

I   U    M 


4'   !"■ 


11 


\ ,  f 


92 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Father,  John  Francis,  on  the  4th  of  March,  1763,  and  twenty- 
two  days  later  Father  Ferdinand,  of  the  same  order,  sign  as 
parish  priests.  The  latter  remained,  recognized  by  the  Cath- 
olics and  undisturbed  by  the  English  authorities,  till  the  18th 
of  April,  1769,  when,  for  the  last  tune,  he  assumed  the  title 
of  parish  priest. 

He  did  not  resume  his  ministry  at  Mobile  till  the  5th  of 
July,  1770,  when  he  made  a  visit  lasting  to  the  27th,  baptiz- 
ing' and  administering  the  sacraments.  In  1773  he  made  a 
second  mission  to  his  old  parish,  his  feeble  hand  showing 
him  broken  by  age.  Then  there  is  no  trace  of  any  priest  at 
Mobile  till  December,  1777,  when  Father  Paul,  a  Capuchin, 
was  among  the  Catholics,  baptizing  negroes  belonging  to  the 
Krebs  family.  The  visits  probably  extended  to  some  points 
on  the  coast  between  New  Orleans  and  Mobile.' 

The  Spanish,  who  had  at  first  proposed  to  remain  at  St. 
Augustine  and  Pensacola,  were  soon  forced  by  the  vexations 
of  British  officials  to  follow  the  mass  of  their  countrymen. 
The  Congregation  de  Propaganda  Fide  had  not  overlooked 
their  spiritual  wants  :  the  Archbishop  of  Lepanto,  Nuncio  at 
Madrid,  was  directed  to  ascertain  the  condition  of  the  Cath- 
olics left  under  British  rule,  but  he  could  only  reply  that 
they  had  all  withdrawn  from  Florida." 

It  was  not  in  the  designs  of  Providence  that  Florida  was 
to  be  left  without  a  Catholic  iiopulation,  that  a  land  bedewed 
with  the  blood  of  so  many  mart^TS  was  to  l)e  lost. 

An  association  in  England  headed  by  Dr.  Andrew  Turn- 
bull  obtained  a  grant  of  lands  at  Moscpiito  Inlet,  where  tliey 
projiosed  to  establish  extensive  plantations  and  manufactories 
of  sugiir  and  indigo.     To  work  these,  fourteen  hundred  Mi- 


'  Repistcrs  of  Mobile. 

«  Archbishop  of  Lepanto  to  the  Cardinal  Prefect.  April  24,  1764, 


THE  "MINORCANS." 


08 


norcans,  Italians,  and  Greeks  were  brought  over  ])y  Tuinbull 
in  eight  vessels,  which  reached  Florida  June  26,  17G8. 
These  immigrants  were  conducted  to  Mosquito,  where  the 
settlement  of  New  Smyrna  was  founded. 

The  Catholic  settlera  were  not  left  vithout  spiritual 
guides.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Peter  Camps,  mi&sionary-apostolic, 
and  Father  Bartholomew  Casas  Novas,  a  Franciscan  from 
the  Convent  of  Torro  in  Minorca,  then  held  by  the  English, 
came  with  the  immigrants  and  revived  the  Catholic  worship 
in  Florida  as  parish  priest  and  assistant  of  San  Pedro  de  Mos- 
quito, and  a  church  under  that  invocation  was  soon  erected. 
This  now  parish  was  established  by  the  Bishop  of  Santiago 
de  Cuba,  to  whom  the  priests  were  subject,  and  Dr.  Camps 
had  special  faculties  from  Eome,  empowei-ing  him  to  confer 
the  sacrament  of  Coniirmation.' 

The  treatment  of  these  settlers  was  cruel  and  oppressive  in 
the  extreme,"  and  though  some  writers  now  endeavor  to  palli- 
ate the  conduct  of  Turnbull,  the  evidence  against  him  is  over- 
whelming. Nine  hundred  perished  in  nine  years,  although 
the  baptisms  show  a  natural  increase,  indicative  of  getioral 
health.  Father  Casas  Novas,  for  his  evangelical  boldness  in 
remonstrating  against  the  cruelties  per]  et  -ated  on  his  flock, 
was  seized  and  sent  back  to  Europe.  Doci w  Tamps,  not  to 
deprive  the  poor  people  of  his  ministry,  labored  on  in  silenco. 


'  The  Register  of  Dr.  Camps,  bpjrinning  in  1768,  is  extant,  showin.:;  2t 
baptisms  in  tlmt  your  ;  6  in  1769  ;  13  in  1770 ;  2&  in  1771  ;  31  in  177:! ; 
52,inl773,  and  31  in  1774. 

''  "  The  inhabitants  of  Minorca  were  originally  Spaniards,  and  hostile  to 
Encland.  Tlioy  Iiad  been  permitted  the  full  enjoyment  of  their  reliirion 
and  properties,  from  the  cession  of  the  island  to  Great  Britain  by  the 
treaty  of  Utrecht  to  the  present  hour."  "  The  .Justice  and  Policy  of  the 
late  Act  of  Parliament,"  etc.,  London,  1774.  The  Minorca  precedent 
suiiiwrted  tiie  construction  of  the  treaty  of  Paris  in  1703.  The  arrival  of 
tlve  vessels  is  noticed  in  "  Pennsylvania  Chronicle,"  July  18-25,  1708. 


; 

I 

^' 

1 

^ 

:,]■ 

^^,.1^1 

fi 


94 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


i 


li 


Gov.  Grant  was  in  full  sympathy  with  TurnhuU,  and 
when  the  unfortunate  people  rose  in  insurrection,  he  sum- 
niarily  tried  and  hajiged  two  of  them.' 


c^^  f^hMf  C'^"¥ 


SEAL  OF  CnURCn  OP  BT,  PETER  AT  MOBQUITO 
AND  8IONATURK  OF  REV.  DR.  CAMPB. 


The  successful  termination  of  the  war  gave  England  also 
the  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio,  the  rival  dainiB  to  which 
had  brought  on  the  hostility  between  the  two  countries.  Vir- 
ginia and  other  seaboard  colonies  had  set  up  claims  to  this 
territory,  but  the  British  governtnent  utterly  disregarded 
them.  The  French  officers  in  capitulating  in  Canada  showed 
a  laudable  desire  to  preserve  for  the  people,  who  had  so  gal- 
lantly fought  beside  them,  all  their  religious  rights  intact. 
This' is  attested  by  the  Articles  of  Capitulation  between  Gen- 
eral Amherst  and  the  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil,  Governor  of 
C^anada,  at  Montreal  in  September,  17G0.  The  twenty- 
seventh  article  provided  :  "  The  free  exercise  ..f  the  Catholic, 
Apostolic,  and  Roman  Religion,  shall  subsist  entire,  in  such 
manner  that  all  the  states  and  the  people  of  the  towns  and 
countries,  places  and  distant  posts,  shall  continue  to  assemble 
in  the  churches,  and  to  f reciuent  the  sacraments  as  lieretofore, 


•  An  outbreak  of  the  Greeks  and  Italians  took  place  August  19.  170K, 
under  Carlo  Fomi.  Letter  of  August  29.  176H.  Roman,  "A  Concise 
IliBtoryof  Florida,"  pp.  268-271;  "Pennsylvania  Chronicle,"  October 
17-24,  1768. 


THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  NORTHWEST. 


96 


without  being  nioleyted  in  any  manner  directly  or  indirectly. 
Thertc  people  Hhall  be  obliged,  by  the  English  government,  to 
pay  their  priests  the  tithes,  and  all  the  taxes  tliey  were  used 
to  pay  under  the  Government  of  his  Most  Christi-^'  Majesty." 
To  this  General  Amherst  wrote  :  "  Granted  as  t<>  vm  free  ex- 
ercise of  their  Eeligion  ;  the  obligation  of  paying  the  tithes  to 
the  priests  will  depend  on  the  King's  pleasure." 

Article  28  read  :  "  The  Chapter,  priests,  curates  and  nus- 
sionaries  shall  continue  with  an  entire  liberty,  their  exercise 
and  functions  of  cures,  in  the  parishes  of  the  towns  and  coun- 
rries."     Tuis  was  granted. 

"  Article  29.  The  Grand  Vicars,  named  by  the  Chapter  to 
administer  to  the  diocese  during  the  vacancy  of  the  Episcopal 
see,  shall  have  liberty  to  dwell  in  the  towns  or  country  par- 
ishes, as  they  shall  think  proper ;  they  shall  at  times  be  free 
to  visit  the  different  parishes  of  the  diocese  with  the  ordinary 
ceremonies  and  exercise  all  the  jurisdiction  they  exercised  un- 
der the  French  dominion.     They  shall  enjoy  the  same  rights 
in  case  of  the  death  of  the  future  Bishop  of  which  mention 
will  be  made  in  the  following  article."     To  this  Amherst 
wrote,  "•  Granted  except  what  regards  the  following  article." 
The  3Uth  article  was  refused  :  "  If  by  the  treaty  of  peace, 
Canada  slsould  remain  in  the  power  of  his  Britannic  Majesty, 
his  most  Christian  majesty  shall  continue  to  name  the  Bishop 
of  the  Colony,  who  shall  always  be  of  the  Roman  Communion, 
and  under  whose  authority  the  people  shall  exercise  the  Ro- 
man religion." 

"xVrticIe  31.  The  Bishop  shall,  in  case  of  need,  establish 
new  parishes,  and  provide  for  the  rebuilding  of  his  Cathedral 
and  his  episcopal  ])alace  ;  and,  in  the  meantime,  he  shall  have 
the  liberty  to  dwell  in  the  towns  or  parishes  as  he  shall  jutlge 
proper.  He  shall  be  at  liberty  to  visit  his  diocese  with  the 
ordinary  ceremonies,  and  exercise  all  the  jurisdiction  whicli 


It-  «<' 


H 


If 

1        4' 


gg  i/F£  Of'  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

hiB  predeceBSor  exercised  under  the  French  don.inion  save 
'ZZ  o.th  of  tidelity,  or  a  pronnso  to  do  noth.ug  .>n^a.y 
to  his  Britannic  Majesty's  service,  may  be  re<pured  o    h  n 
An'herst  wrote:  "This  article  is  co.nprised  under  the  tore- 

^"'."Article  32.  The  co.nmunities  of  nuns  shall  he  preserved 
i„  their  constitutions  and  privileges;  they  sba" -..t.nue  to 
live  their  rules,  they  shall  be  exempted  fron.  lodg.ng  any 
„>i,itary;  and  it  shall  bef..rbid  to  n.olest  then.  n>  the.r  r  ^ 
;^!ous^ercises,  or  to  enter  their  "--ter.s;  ^a.^ 
slnll  ever  be  given  the.n,  if  they  (Vsire  them."    "Granted. 

;:  Article  33.  The  preceding  article  shall  likewise  be  exe- 
cuted, with  reg.ml  to  the  communities  of  Jesuits  and  Kecol- 
^^  and  of  tlfe  house  of  the  priests  of  St.  Sulp.ce  at  Mon- 
treal ;  these  last  and  the  Jesuits  shall  preserve  the.r  r.ght  to 
„o„nnate  to  certain  curacies  (parishes)  and  nuss.ons  as^  here 
tofore"     "Refused  till  the  King's  pleasure  be  known. 

'^  Article  34.  All  the  conununities  and  all  the  pnests,  shall 
preserve  their  moveables,  the  property  and  revenues  of  the 
Lgniories  and  other  estates  which  they  possess  ,n  the  co  ony^ 
of  what  nature  soever  thr,"  be  ;  and  the  san.e  estates  shall  be 
preK^rved  in  their  priv :  ■  ...  riglits,  honors  and  exe.npt.ons. 

This  was  granted.  , 

Their  care  extended  to  the  Indians.  Yau<lrcml  s  40th 
article  read:  "The  Savages  or  Indian  allies  of  lus  most 
^ian  Majesty,  shall  1.  maintained  in  the  lands  t^^^^^ 

l,,l,it :  if  they  ehuse  to  re.nain  there,  they  .-hall  not  be  u.o- 
lested  on  anv  pretense  whatsoever,  for  having  earned  arm« 
and  erved  his  most  Christian  Majesty;  they  shall  have,  as 
r:;:  the  FrenclUiberty  of  religion,  and  Shan  keep... 

mi^ionaries.     The  actual  Vicars-General    an.    the  B  hop 
when  the  Episcopal  see  shall  be  filled,  .hall  have  lea^e  to 
^d  to  them  new  missionaries  when  they  shall  judge  .t  nee- 


I  Mil 


xilOHTS  OF  LATUOUCa. 


9T 


OMwary."     "  Granted  except  the  hwf  article,  which  has  been 
already  refused." 

Under  thene  articles  tl.r  Chuiob  vaa  maint,,  icd  not  only 
in  what  we  now  call  Canada,  bnl  the  weHtem  parts  sub- 
jc't  to  the  Govern.  ,  General  of  Mew  Fruuce,  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war,  from  the  frontier  I'ne  of  posts  l)etween 
Niagara  and  Fort  Dii(|Mesne  to  the  Mhstiiseippi,  south  of  the 
gnat  lakes.  From  this  the  French  sought  to  except  the 
territory  south  i.l'  thf  watershed  of  the  Wabash  and  Illinois 
Rivers  which  had  been  t'  illy  subject  to  Louisiana;  but  the 
English  government  insisted  on  including  all  the  territory 
north  and  west  of  the  Ohio. 

Tlie  English  authorities  took  possession  of  the  western 
country  under  these  articles,  while  negotiations  for  a  general 
'  'caee  wen-  in  i)rogresh,  v.r  were  the  religious  rigl  s  of  the 
jMonle  ovc  -oked  by  the  diplomatists.  The  French  king  in- 
sist the  free  exeicise  <  ''  the  Roman  Catholic  religion 
shall  I'  iiaintained  there,  an<  the  King  of  England  will 
give  thf  most  precise  and  effi  ,  tiiui  orders  that  his  new  Ro- 
man ('  liolic  subjects  may,  as  licretofore,  make  jmblic  pro- 
fession of  their  religion  according  to  the  rites  of  the  Roman 
Church." ' 

The  English  ultimatum  conceded  this  :  "  As  to  what  con- 
cerns the  public  profession  and  exercise  of  the  Roman  Cath- 
olic religion  in  Canada,  the  new  subjects  of  his  Britannic 
IVlajesty  shall  be  maititained  in  that  privilege  without  inter- 
ruption or  molestation." 

The  preliminary  articles  of  peace  signed  at  Fontainebleau 
in  November,  1702,  provided:  "His  Britainiic  Majesty  on 
his  side  agrees  to  grant  to  the  inhabitants  of  Canada  the  lib- 


'  Smitli,  "  History  of  Canadii ;  from  its  first  Discovery  to  the  i   ace  of 
V,m,"  Quebec,  1815,  i.,  pp.  367-369. 
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LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

erty  of  the  Catholic  rehgion.  He  will  in  consequence  give 
the  most  exact  and  effectual  orders  that  his  new  Koman 
Catholic  Bi^bjects  may  profess  the  worship  o  then-  rel  g,on 
according  to  the  rites  of  the  Koman  Church  as  far  as  the 
laws  of  Great  Britain  permit."  r     .     .      *  PorJ« 

As  finally  ratified,  February  10,  1763,  the  treaty  of  Pans 
contained  this  same  stipulation. 

The  position  of  the  Catholics  dwelling  m  Northern  Ohio, 
Indiana,  Illinois,  Michigan,  and  Wisconsin-to  use  our  pres- 
ent names-was  thus  gxiaranteed  by  articles  of  capitulation, 
and  by  a  treaty  long  and  carefully  considered.     It  was  con- 
ceded at  the  time  that  the  clause,  "as  far  as  the  laws  of 
Great  Britain  permit,"  did  not  mean  permit  in  England, 
for  that  would  have  swept  away  all  liberty  whatever,  but  as 
far  as  the  laws  of  England  permitted  it  to  be  professed  in 
territories  that  lay  without  the  realm.     Provinces,  and  cities, 
and  islands  occupied  by  Catholics,  had  by  the  fortune  of  war 
passed  at  times  under  English  rule,  so  that  the  distinction 
was  well  known,  and  the  case  of  Minorca  was  familiar  and 

T6C6Dt 

«In  1765  the  Lords  of  Trade  sent  the  following  query  to 
Sir  Fletcher  Norton  and  Sir  William  De  Grey,  then  At- 
torney  and  Solicitor-General.     '  Whether  his  Majesty  s  sul>- 
iects,  being  Roman  Catholics  and  residing  in  the  countries 
ceded  his  majesty  in  America  by  the  treaty  of  Paris,  are  not 
subiect,  in  those  colonies,  to  the  incapacities,  disabilities,  and 
penalties,  to  which  Roman  Catholics  in  this  kingdom  are  sub- 
let by  the  law  thereof  I '     To  which  query  those  great  men 
answered  on  the  10th  of  June :  '  That  they  were  not.      And 
the  advocate,  attorney,  and  solicitor-general,  in  their  joint  re- 
port to  the  Privy  Council  upon  the  propositions  of  the  Board 
of  Trade,  presented  on  the  18th  of  June,  1768,  state  it  to  be 
their  opinion:  'That  the  several  acts  of  pariiament,  which 


TOLERATION. 


99 


impose  disabilities  and  penalties  upon  the  public  exercise  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  religion  do  not  extend  to  Canada :  and 
that  his  Majesty  is  not  by  his  prerogative  enabled  to  abolish 
the  dean  and  chapter  of  Quebec,  nor  to  exempt  the  Protest- 
ant inhabitants  from  paying  tithes  to  the  persons,  legally  en- 
titled to  demand  them  from  the  Roman  Catholics.' "  ' 

Lord  Thurlow  too  declared :  "  The  free  exercise  of  their 
religion  by  the  laity,  and  of  their  function  by  the  clergy,  was 
also  reserved." ' 

By  the  highest  legal  opinion  in  England  therefore  the 
Catholics  in  our  Northwestern  territory  9fer&  by  the  Treaty 
of  Paris  secured  in  the  full  and  complete  enjoyment  of  their 
religion  as  under  the  French  rule,  and  of  course  in  the  pos- 
session of  their  churches  and  ecclesiastical  property,  to  such 
an  extent  that  not  the  King  himself  by  his  royal  prerogative 
could  deprive  the  priest  of  his  tithes,  even  from  those  not  of 
his  faith. 

The  only  restraint  was  that  the  Jesuits  were  not  assured  of 
permanence  in  their  Indian  missions,  but  in  point  of  fact  the 
three  remaining  Fathers,  Potier,  du  Jauuay,  and  Lefranc 
were  never  dirturbed. 

The  English  authorities  had  very  naturally  refused  to  con- 
cede to  the  King  of  France  the  nomination  of  future  Bish- 
ops of  Quebec;  but  the  Episcopate  was  recognized,  and  the 
Dean  and  Chapter  were,  by  sound  legal  authority,  held  to  be 
beyond  the  power  of  the  English  throne  to  suppress  them. 
The  jurisdiction  of  the  Bishop  of  Quebec  and  of  the  Vicars- 


«.nJ"^ff'  f"f'^'  '"'.**  ^°"''^°^  ^^^  ^^^  ^'^tof  Parliament  for  making 
more  effectual  Provision  for  the  Government  of  the  Province  of  Que 
bee,    etc.    London,  1774,  pp.  80-31. 

'  Consult  ^  to  the  effect  of  the  Treaty  of  Paris  in  Canada.  "The 

"  2nV      p'yr'r^lf-    *"^   '^'   ^*'^°"*=«   ^   ^"^^''^^^   Colonies," 
American  Catholic  Quarterly,"  x.,  p.  240. 


\ 


''\.U 


"■Mi 


Jl 


III 


100  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

Capitular  during  the  vacancy  of  the  see  over  our  northwest 
territory,  was  thus  fully  recognized  by  England.  Priests 
were  maintained  in  their  parochial  and  other  rights,  the  relig- 
ious orders  and  coninmnities  retained  their  property,  and  the 
people  were  free  to  enjoy  the  ministrations  of  their  religion. 
The  first  step  in  regard  to  the  Catholics  of  the  West  was  a 
proclamation  issued  at  New  York  by  General  Thomas  Gage, 
Commander-in-Chief   of  his  Britannic  Majesty's  forces  m 

AlTlGnCH  I 

"  Whereas,  by  the  Peace  concluded  at  Paris,  the  10th  of 
February,  1763,  the  country  of  the  Illinois  has  been  ceded  to 
his  Britannic  Majesty,  and  the  taking  possession  of  the  said 
country  of  the  Illinois,  by  the  troops  of  his  Majesty,  though 
delayed,  has  been  determined  upon  ;  we  have  found  it  good 
to  make  known  to  the  inhabitants— 

"  That  his  Majesty  grants  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Illinois, 
the  liberty  of  tiie  Catholic  religion,  as  it  has  already  been 
granted  to  his  subjects  in  Canada.  He  has  consequently 
Len  the  most  precise  and  efEective  orders,  to  the  end  that 
his  new  Eoman  Catholic  subjects  of  the  Illinois  may  exercise 
the  worship  of  their  religion,  according  to  the  rites  of  the 
Romish  church,  in  the  same  manner  as  in  Canada 

"  That  his  Majesty,  moreover,  agrees  that  the  Irench  in- 
habitants or  others,  who  have  been  subjects  of  the  inost 
Christian  king,  may  retire  in  full  safety  and  freedom  wher- 
ever they  please,  even  to  New  Orleans,  or  any  other  part  of 
Louisiana;  although  it  should  happen  that  the  Spaniards 
take  possession  of  it  in  the  name  of  his  Catholic  Majesty  and 
they  may  sell  their  estates,  provided  it  be  to  subjects  of  his 
majesty,  and  transport  their  effects,  as  well  as  their  persons, 
without  restraint  upon  their  emigration,  under  any  pretence 
whatever,  except  in  consequence  of  debts,  or  of  criminal 
processes. 


GAGE'S  PROCLAMATION. 


101 


II 

y 
it 

e 

iC 

fi- 
st 
r- 
[)f 
ds 
id 
lis 

18, 

ce 
ia1 


"  That  those  who  choose  to  retain  their  lands  and  become 
Bul^jects  of  his  Majesty,  shall  enjoy  the  same  rights  and  priv- 
ileges, the  same  security  for  their  persons  and  effects,  and  the 
liberty  of  trade,  as  the  old  subjects  of  the  king. 

*•  That  they  are  commanded  by  these  presents  to  take  the 
oath  of  fidelity  and  obedience  to  his  Majesty,  in  presence  of 
Sieur  Stirling,  Captain  of  the  Highland  Regiment,  the  bearer 
hereof,  and  furnished  with  our  full  powers  for  this  purpose. 

"  That  we  recommend  forcibly  to  the  inhabitants,  to  con- 
duct themselves  like  good  and  faithful  subjects,  avoiding  by 
a  wise  and  prudent  demeanor,  all  cause  of  complaint  against 
them. 

"  That  they  act  in  concert  with  his  Majesty's  officers,  so 
that  his  troops  may  take  peaceable  possession  of  all  the  forts, 
and  order  be  kept  in  the  country.  By  this  means  alone  they 
will  spare  his  Majesty  the  necessity  of  recurring  to  force  of 
arms,  and  will  find  themselves  saved  from  the  scourge  of  a 
bloody  war,  and  of  all  the  evils  which  the  march  of  an  enemy 
invo  their  country  would  draw  after  it. 

'•  We  direct  that  these  presents  be  read,  published,  and 
posted  up  in  the  usual  places. 

"Done  and  given  at  headquarters.  New  York— signed 
with  our  hand— sealed  with  our  seal  at  arms,  and  counter- 
signed by  our  secretary,  this  30th  of  December,  1764. 

"  Thomas  Gage. 
"  By  his  Excellency,  G.  Matnrin."  ' 

It  was  apparently  intended  to  include  in  the  terra  Illinois 
country  all  the  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio.  The  fall  of 
Canada  had  created  a  kind  of  panic  in  this  part,  and  many 
supposing  that  France  would  retain  Louisiana  crossed  the 


I  Brown,  "  The  History  of  Illinois,"  New  York,  1844,  pp.  212-18. 


Pt  ji 


102  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

Mississippi  River.  The  administrative  Council  at  New  Or- 
leans seized  the  Jesuit  Fathers  in  the  portion  subject  to 
Louisiana,  and  ordered  the  destruction  of  their  churches, 
after  selling  all  the  personal  property  at  their  missions.  The 
Eev.  Forget  Duverger,  assuming  an  authority  he  did  not 
possess,  pretended  to  give  a  title  for  the  property  of  the 
Seminarv  of  Quebec  and  left  the  country.  No  priests  were 
left  anywhere  in  the  northwest  except  Father  Simplicius 
Bocquet,  Recollect  Father,  at  Detroit,  which  had  capitulated 
to  the  English  under  Major  Rogers,  November  29,  1760 ; 
the  Jesuit  Father  du  Jaunay,  at  Arbre  Croche,  Father  Le- 
franc,  at  Mackinac,  and  the  Recollect  Father,  Luke  Collet, 

at  Fort  Chartres."  _ 

The  French  in  the  West  submitted,  but  the  Indians  could 
not  brook  the  defeat.  Pontiac,  the  Ottawa  chief,  organized 
an  immense  conspiracy,  embracing  tribes  from  Lake  Superior 
to  Georgia.  A  simultaneous  attack  was  made  on  all  the 
Encrlish  frontier  posts,  and  settlers  were  butchered  and  houses 
given  to  the  flames.  Fort  Sandusky,  Fort  St.  Joseph,  Fort 
Michilimackinac,  Fort  Ouiatenon,  Fort  Miami  and  FortPres- 
quile.  Fort  Le  Boeuf  and  Fort  Venango,  were  all  taken. 
In  some  cases  not  a  soul  escaped  to  tell  the  tale  of  the  sur- 
prise or  defence.  In  others  a  few  survivors  remained  as 
prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  excited  red  men. 

The  English  authoritico,  as  we  have  seen,  in  speaking  of 
the  Articles  of  Capitulation,  had  peremptorily  refused  to  per- 
mit the  Jesuits  to  maintain  their  Indian  missions,  full  of  the 
ignorant  prejudice  which  prevailed  against  the  devoted  mem- 


"  Fort  Michilimackinac  was  occupied  by  the  English  September  28, 
1761   and  Green  Bay  in  October,  but  Fort  Chartres,  in  Illinois,  did  not 
lower  the  French  flag  till  1765.    See  Farmer,  "  History  of  Detroit  and 
Michigan,"  Detroit,  1884,  p.  234:  Kelton.  "Annals  of  Fort  Mackinac, 
1884,  pp.  36-7. 


FATHER  SIMPLICIUS.  jQg 

bers  of  the  Society  '     Their  justification  was  now  complete 
Il.e  two  Jesuits,  submitting  to  the  designs  of  Providence 
had  hibored  to  reconcile  the  Indians  to  the  change  of  flag' 
The  Ottawa  Indians  at  Arbre  Croche,  Father  du  Jaunav's 
mission,  were  less  hostile  to  the  English  than  the  other  tribes 
and  bands  :  "  for  the  great  influence  of  the  priest  du  Jaunav 
seems  always  to  have  been  exerted  on  the  side  of  peace  and 
fnendship."     When  the  Chippewas  came  to  Arbre  Croche 
with  the  survivors  of  Michiliniackinac,  the  Ottawas  took  them 
from  their  captors,  where  they  received  kindlv  treatment  by 
the  missionary's  influence  exerted  in  their  favo-     Father  du 
Jannay  did  niore ;  he  set  out  through  the  country,  swarming 
w.  1.  hostile  Indians,  to  bear  to  Major  Gladwin  at  Detroit  a 
letter  from  Captain  Etherington,  telling  of  the  loss  of  his 
post  and  of  his  condition.     The  priest  fulfilled  his  dangerous 
errand,  passing  thror.^h  Pontiac's  camp,  and  two  days  after- 
ward was  on  Ins  way  back  to  the  mission,  where  his  presence 
was  so  essential.' 

At  Detroit  Father  Simplicius  continued  his  parochial  func- 
tions under  the  new  govc  nment,  -'  to  which,"  he  says  in  an 
entry  .n  his  Register,  «it  has  pleased  Divine  Providence  to 
subject  us.  He  seems,  too,  to  have  acted  in  concert  with 
Major  Gladwin  in  suppressing  public  scandals.'  Rogation 
day  m  May,  1763,  was  celebrated  by  him  in  the  usual  man- 
ner;  the  procession  issued  forth  from  the  fort,  although 


'  •'  Some  of  the  American  governments,  as  the  newspapers  inform  us 
■  •■  Regl-te  de  SI.  Anne  du  DeliDil,"  December  11.  1708. 


I 


f 

I 


. 


104  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

Pontine  and  his  warriors  were  already  encamped  near  the 
town.  Father  Potier  at  Sandwich  exerted  all  his  authority 
to  keep  the  Hurons  from  joining  Pontiac,  and  those  who 
still   retained   the  faith  hearkened   to  his  persuasions  and 

menaces.  , 

During  the  siege  of  Detroit  the  church-bell  at  St.  Anne  s 
was  silent  for  a  time,  but  the  Commandant  directed  the  Catii- 
olics  to  adhere  to  tiieir  old  customs,  and  once  more  the  An- 
gelus  sounded  over  tiie  waters.' 

At  last  in  his  isolation  tidings  reached  Bocquet  tiiat  Quebec 
had  once  more  a  Bishop  entiironed  in  the  Cathedral  of  Laval." 
« I  presunied  enough  on  tiie  king's  goodness  to  Hatter  myself 
that  in  his  resolution  to  permit  us  the  free  exercise  of  our 
holy  religion,  he  would  allow  us  to  have  a  Bishop  in  partibm 
with  the  titie  and  authority  of  apostolic  legate,  and  I  regarded 
our  lot  as  a  happy  one.     But  a  titular  Bishop  of  Quebec, 
with  all  tiio  prerogatives  and  honors  attached  to  his  dignity 
and  his  title-but  a  French  and  European  French  bishop- 
but  a  bishop  selected  from  the  very  clergy  of  Quebec-this, 
my  Lord,  in  our  actual  position  I  do  not  understand  and 
cannot  weary  exclaiming  O  AUititdo  !    But  it  is  thus  timt 
God  vouchsafes  to  visit  his  iieople,  and  to  make  us  feel  Imn, 
and  exercise  over  us  his  greatest  mercies,  when  He  seemed 
fartiiest  from  us,  and  we  seemed  to  have  lost  all  hope." 

The  powers  conferred  on  Father  Simplicius  by  Bishop  de 
Pontbriand  were  continued  by  Very  Rev.  Mr.  Montgoltier, 
Vicar-General  of  tiie  diocese  during  tiie  vacancy  of  tiie  see. 
Bishop  Briand  had  such  confidence  in  tiiis  faitiiful  son  of  St. 
Francis  tiiat  in  the  summer  of  1768  he  made  him  his  Vicar- 
General,  and  Father  Simplicius  signs  in  that  capacity  on  the 


'  Pontiac  Manuscript  in  Farmer,  p.  530. 

« He  arrived  at  Quebec  June  28.     "  New  York  Gazette."  July  81. 1766. 


f 


THE  CHURCH  AT  DETROIT. 


105 


28t]i  of  June.'  More  fortunate  than  the  other  priests  in  the 
West  who  lived  isolated  from  each  other,  he  had  near  him 
Father  Peter  Potier,  whom  he  styles  a  holy  religious  and 
after  a  time  rector  of  the  parish  of  Notre  Dame  du  Sud.* 
Fatiier  Potier  was  frequently  in  Detroit.  He  was  a  master 
of  tiic  Huron  language ;  he  compiled  a  Huron  grammar 
based  on  Chaumonot's  and  a  work  containing  the  Radicals 
and  their  derivatives  to  enable  others  to  acquire  the  language, 
and  was  most  diligent  in  copying,  even  in  duplicate,  manu- 
scripts left  by  his  predecessors.  Many  of  his  works,  in  a 
minute  but  clear  hand,  are  preserved  to  this  day. 

Detroit  with  two  zealous  priests  enjoyed  with  its  sur- 
rounding settlements  a  great  advantage  in  suffering  no  inter- 
ruption in  the  divine  offices  or  the  administration  of  the 
sacraments.  In  a  frontier  settlement  there  were  abundant 
occasions  of  sin,  and  the  priest  was  called  upon  to  entreat, 
exhort,  and  reprove.  Yet  at  Detroit,  even  under  the  change 
from  Catholic  to  Protestant  rule,  vice  did  not  become  fre- 
(jueiit. 

In  1766  a  foundling  appears  in  the  Register,  and  the 
course  adopted  is  worth  notice.     The  entry  is  as  follows  : 

"  In  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
sixty-six  the  sixth  of  March  was  baptized  Marie  born  that 
night,  whose  father  and  mother  are  unknown  to  us.  The 
godfather  was  John  Baptist  Durant,  the  godmother  Mary 
Angelique  Rochelot,  who  declared  that  they  could  not  sign. 
Which  is  attested. 

"  f.  SiMPUCIUS   BoCQUET, 

"  Recollect  Missionary." 
"  In  concert  with  the  Sieur  Legrand  justice  of  the  peace 


'  "  Registre  de  St.  Anne,"  July  26,  1764,  October  2,  1774 
«Ib.,  October  89,  1770. 

5* 


"("'"'"(HfMsm^^^B 

|mH 

■HUHj 

, 

^^^^^H 

HW 

'4 


'    .-'^ 


f  ' 


lOfi 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


in  this  city,  we  have  given  the  said  Miiry  to  the  Sieur  and 
Dame  Bouron  to  be  brought  uj),  nourished,  supported  and 
instructed  in  all  the  duties  of  the  Catholic,  Apcwtolio  and 
Roman  religion,  as  their  own  child,  and  in  compensation  for 
their  care,  pains  and  expense  the  said  Mary  on  her  side  shall 
he  obliged  to  obey,  serve,  respect  them,  etc.,  in  all  proper 
duty  as  becomes  a  christian  girl  towards  her  father  and 
mother  and  those  who  hold  their  place  towards  her,  and  this 
to  the  age  of  twenty  years,  according  to  the  laws  and  usage 
of  the  colony.     At  Detroit  this  7th  March,  17(50. 

"  f.  SlMPLICIUS  B0€QUET, 

"  Recollect  Missionary." 

In  October,  1707,  in  compliance  with  the  decision  and 
positive  orders  of  Bishop  Briand,  dated  August  7th,  Father 
Simplicius  declared  a  marriage  contracted  in  January  to  be 
mill  and  void  and  the  issue  illegitimate :  but  the  Bishop 
granting  a  dispensation  to  remove  the  disability  of  consan- 
guinity the  parties  were  remarried  and  the  child  declared 
legitimate.' 

The  parish  under  his  control  embraced  l)oth  sides  of  the 
river,  but  he  earnestly  implored  the  Bishop  to  make  the  op- 
])osite  shore  a  distinct  parish  under  Father  Potier,  who  could 
attcTid  it  as  well  as  minister  to  the  Huron  Indians.  An  acci- 
dent that  befell  him  in  Chaleurs  Bay  made  him  dread  the 
water,  and  the  crossing  in  a  canoe  was  at  times  very  danger- 
ous. He  had,  in  fact,  given  up  most  of  the  people  there  and 
their  tithes  to  Father  Potier.  The  parishioners,  encouraged 
by  the  prospect  of  a  parish  priest  to  themselves,  rebuilt  the 
Huron  church,  which  was  falling  in  ruins.  The  Bishop 
adopted  his  suggestion  and  in  a  letter  of  October  21,  1707, 

'  Rpffister.  Letter  of  Father  Simplicius  dated  October  21,  1787,  citing 
Bishop's  decision  of  August  7tb. 


f  ' 


FATHER  LEFRANC. 


1()7 


I'litliur  Boc<iiict  aiiiiounceB  that  ho  hud  placed  Father  Potier 
in  poHsesHion  of  his  new  parish. 

Most  of  the  houHCH  in  Detroit  were  occupied  by  English 
tniders,  otdy  ton  being  held  by  Catholic  fainilios  in  1707,  and 
Father  ISiniplicius  had  to  take  to  his  own  house  the  children 
to  be  prepared  for  their  first  conitnunion,  lodge,  feed,  and 
even  clothe  these  little  ones  till  he  had  instructed  them,  some 
l)eing  so  ignorant  that  they  could  not  even  make  the  sign  of 
till!  cross. 

With  rare  occasions  of  intercourse  with  Yincennes  or  Kas- 
kaskia,  seeing  the  Indians  uncontrolled  sinking  into  vice  and 
misery,  Father  Simplicius  was  full  of  foreboding.'  The  Eng- 
lish coniinandants  were  always  ready  to  interfere,  and  over- 
whelmed the  priest  with  quotations  from  English  laws,  of 
which  he,  of  course,  knew  nothing,  but  was  kept  in  constant 
dreiid  of  drawing  down  on  himself  unwittingly  prosecution 
from  the  new  rulers  of  Canada.  The  dissolute  in  this  way 
made  the  English  commandant  protect  them  iu  their  licen- 
tious course," 

Previous  to  the  conquest  in  1755,  the  Bishop  of  Quebec 
had  extended  to  Detroit  a  plenary  indulgence  to  all  who  ai>- 
proaclied  the  sacraments  during  the  days  of  the  carnival, 
even  when  the  Blessed  Sacrament  was  not  exposed.  It  had 
proved  a  great  auxiliary  to  the  missionary,  who  sought  a  re- 
newal from  Bishop  Briand.' 

When  Father  Lefranc  retired  from  his  Green  Bay  mission 
is  apparently  unknown,  but  the  church  plate,  including  the 
ostensorium  presented  to  the  church  by  Perrot,  was  taken  to 
Michilimackinac  and  left  in  the  hands  of  Father  du  Jaunay. 


'  Letter  to  Bishop,  April  27,  June  80,  1767. 

'  Letter.  April  8.  1768,  May  12.  1768. 

'  Letter,  September  22,  1767.  October  5,  1767. 


I' 


108 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


That  jfood  priest  in  time  took  tip  liin  residence  ot  Arbro 
Croc'ho,  uiul  erected  a  churdi  tliero  on  the  hanks  of  Like 
Michiffsm-  "'»  fl<w'k  wee  greatly  attached  to  him,  and  long 
after  pointed  out  the  place  of  IiiH  favorite  walk.  In  tiiue  he 
waH  recalled  or  determined  to  return  to  Canada,  lie  Hold 
the  ground  he  had  purchaeed,  and  left  hiH  Indian  flock. 
They  were  ho  moved  by  this,  insirtting  that  they  had  given 
liim  no  real  cause  of  complaint,  that  on  his  departure  they 
set  Are  to  their  church.' 

When  Father  du  .faunay  too  was  recalled,  ho  took  all  the 
church  plate,  consisting  of  two  chalices,  two  ciboriums,  and 
two  monstrances,  and  deposited  them  with  Father  Potier,  at 
the  Huron  mission,  near  Detroit.  The  Perrot  ostenwirium 
was  borrowed  for  a  time,  and  used  by  Father  Simplicius 
IJocquet,  to  be  finally  carried  back  to  Green  Bay,  lost,  and  re- 
covered in  our  time.' 

Father  Simplicius  found  that  under  the  English  sway  many 
of  his  parishioners  avoided  paying  their  tithes,  and  though 
the  English  commandant  would  have  aided  him  to  enforce 
the  payment,  he  looked  rather  to  a  letter  from  the  Bishop.' 
The  next  year,  1770,  he  wrote:  "I  am  in  the  greatest  pov- 
erty in  the  worid ;  all  the  townsfolk  since  the  change  of  gov- 
ernment have  retired  to  the  cottw ;  there  are  not  more  than 
six  Catholic  houses  in  the  town,"  and  two  of  these  were  oc- 
cupied by  families  whose  lives  were  no  credit  to  the  faith. 


'  Annnles  ile  la 


'  Letter  of  Father  Himpliciua  Bocquet,  July  18,  1771. 
Propagation  de  la  Foi,"  ii.,  p.  102. 

'  Father  Simplicius  seems  to  have  bought  it  ultimately  from  F.  Potier. 
Letters  of  Father  Simplicius  Bocquet  to  Bishop  Briand,  ,Iuly  18,  1771, 
May  1.  1773.  At  this  time  the  few  Catholics  at  Michilimackinac  claimed 
the  plate  from  that  post  as  belonging  to  their  church,  and  not  to  the  So- 
ciety of  .lesus. 

>  Letter  May  12.  1769. 


i  i 


Hi 


iL 


IMMORALITY  AT  DETROIT. 


100 


When  an  iilartn  of  Ttulian  attack  came,  tlio  people  gutlieretl 
from  the  farms  into  Detroit  for  the  Hake;  of  protection. 

The  Jubilee  of  that  .year  he  propoHod  to  observe  as  he  had 
(lone  the  last.  lie  opened  it  with  a  solemn  procession  to  a 
cross  erected  (outside  of  the  city;  for  five  days  ho  made  the 
vinits  to  the  st?  *ion8  with  the  wune  solemnity  ;  and  during  a 
fortni/rht  he  renewed  rheni  daily  to  one  of  the  chapels  of  the 
church;  he  made  an  exhortation  every  morning  and  evening, 
followed  by  the  Benediction  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  and 
closed  it  on  ^  mday  with  a  procession  and  the  Te  Deum.' 

About  this  time  the  pastor  induced  his  people  to  repair 
the  church  of  St.  Anne,  but  in  June,  1771,  the  steeple  was 
struck  by  lightning  and  greatly  damaged.     The  aged  Fran- 
ciscan was  beginning  to  yield  to  his  intinnities,  but  though 
his  Superior  at  Quebec  urged  him  to  return,  he  would  n(.t 
aitaiulon  his  jwst,  till  the  Bishop  could  send  a  jjriest  to  suc- 
ceed him.'    The  libertines  at  Detroit  were  especially  anxious 
at  this  time  to  compel  him  to  withdraw,  and  molested  him 
greatly  ;  but  he  held  linn  and  denounced  vice  unshrinkingly." 
In  January,  1774,  wo  find  on  the  Register  the  solenm  ex- 
communication of  two  persons  living  in  adultery.     The  entry 
tells  how  they  were  "  guilty  for  two  years  of  adultery,  all  the 
more  scandalous  as  it  was  public  and  obstinate,  notwith- 
standing, that  from  time  to  time,  we  have  spared  neither 
charitable  reujonstrances,  nor  entreaties,  nor  threats ;  every- 
thing has  been  tried  on  our  part  to  make  them  return  to  the 
true  paths  of  justice  and  innocence,  deaf  to  the  voice  of  a 
God,  as  awful  in  His  chastisements  as  He  is  good  and  en- 
couraging to  those  who  return  to  Him  with  all  their  hearts 
Dv  perumce,  and  implored  Hi.s  tender  mercy,  whereas  we  have 
given  them  to  understand  not  only  in  private  by  our  exhorta- 


'  Letter  Oct.  3,  1770.      »  Letter  July  18, 1771.       '  Letter  Aug.  16. 1773. 


M  ■ 


110 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


I    I 


tions  and  our  charitable  advice,  but  by  three  juridical  mm- 
inons  with  the  intervals  directed  by  the  sacred  canons,  by  a 
liiiiliff  or  usher,  acconipained  by  two  witnesses,  all  of  which 
might  intiniidate  their  hearts  and  move  them,  has  served  only 
to  harden  them,  they  have  despised  it  all,  and  have  drawn  on 
themselves  by  their  obstinacy  the  just  indignation  of  our  holy 
mother  Church,  formerly  theirs  also,  but  whom  they  have 
compelled  to  expel  them  from  her  bosom,  and  abandon  them 
to  all  the  depravity  of  their  heart.  In  consequence,  and  in 
the  just  fear  that  members  as  corrupt  as  these,  iriay  infect 
others— In  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  and  the  Church  His 
Spouse,  and  the  authority  of  the  Most  Illustrious  and  Most 
Reverend  Mouseigneur  Brilland,  Bishop  of  Quebec,  our  il- 
lustrious prelate,  this  day,  January  23d,  m  the  present  year 
of  otir  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-four, 
we  have  denounced  at  our  parochial  mass  during  the  Homily, 

the  said and as  excommunicated  and  cut  off  from 

the  Church,  deprived  of  its  suffrages,  and  its  sacraments,  and 
delivered  to  the  power  of  Satan.  And  by  the  same  authority 
we  forbid  under  pain  of  excommunication  all  persons  to  sa- 
lute them,  speak  to  thetn,  or  converse  with  them  in  any 
manner  and  in  any  place  whatever,  except  in  cases  of  charity 
and  necessity  laid  down  by  law,  imtil  coiivinced  of  their  fault 
they  have  publicly  received  absolution. 

"  f.  SiMPU.  BocQUET,  M.R.,  cure  et  Yic.-Gen." 

It  is  (^ratifying  to  find  that  his  censures  took  effect,  for 
the  next  entry  records  their  repentance  and  submission,  and 
the  official  absolution  from  the  censures  inflicted  on  them.' 

In  the  autumn  of  1772  Father  Simplicius,  now  a  man 


'  Reglstre  de  Sainte  Anne  du  Detroit.  There  is  a  similar  case  in  Febru- 
ary, 1774,  and  another  in  Octol)er,  1774.  Father  Bocquet  did  not  allow 
vice  to  go  unchecked. 


TRIBUTE  TO  FATHER  SIMPLICIUS.  m 

of  seventy,  was  attacked  with  jaundice,  followed  by  local 
troubles,  and  in  the  spring,  while  attending  a  sick  call,  he 
was  so  affected  by  the  coid  that  he  became  insensible,  but  by 
medical  care  he  was  enabled  to  get  through  the  laborious 
duties  of  Holy  Week  and  Easter-time.' 

Tlie  Sulpitian,  Rev.  John  Dilhet,  who  was  for  a  consider- 
able time  at  Detroit  some  years  after,  pays  tribute  to  the 
good  effected  by  Father  Simplicius.     "He  governed  the 
I)arish  with  great  zeal  and  judgment ;  he  prevented  abuses 
creeping  in,  such  as  honorary  rights  to  seats  in  the  church, 
holy  water  for  royal  officers,  who  claimed  it;    he  had  a 
chanter  paid  by  the  trustees,  a  school  for  the  instruction  of 
the  children  ;  he  purchased  a  large  bell,  a  silver  gilt  mon- 
strance ;  suppressed  a  great  many  scandals,  such  as  unlawful 
marriages,  liquor-dealers  who  caused  drunkenness  among  the 
Indians,  public  keeping  of  mistresses,  seditious  trustees  re- 
volting against  his  authority.     He  succeeded  in  suppressing 
these  abuses  and  scandals  by  his  firmness,  his  prudence,  and 
a  patience  that  nothing  could  disturb.     His  memory  has  re- 
mained in  benediction  at  Detroit,  where  all  who  had  seen 
him  even  in  his  old  age,  and  when  his  mind  had  lost  its 
vigor,  never  failed  to  proclaim  his  virtue  and  the  esteem 
which  the  parish  entertained  for  him  and  his  good  qualities." " 
In  July,  1775,  he  was  ordered  by  Richard  Berenge  Ler- 
noult,  Commandant  at  Detroit  under  Jehu  Hay,  to  proceed 
to  the  marriage  of  a  couple  ;  but  as  the  giri,  an  orphan,  had 
by  the  connivance  of  her  uncle  and  aunt  been  taken  from 
her  proper  guardian,   her   grandmother,   Father   Bocquet, 
though  he  officiated,  added  this  note  : 

"  Note  that  if  in  the  preceding  marriage  we  deferred  to 


.•t':S 


'  Letter  May  1,  1773. 

'  Dilhet,  "  Etat  de  TEglise  ou  Diocese  des  Etats  Unis.' 


112 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


the  decision  of  the  Commandant,  it  was  because  the  girl  who 
lived  under  her  aunt  i)aillet  (one  of  the  worst  women  in  the 
disposition  of  her  mind  whom  I  have  known),  wife  of  her 
uncle,  dit  des  Buttes  St.  Martin,  it  was  because  the  said  uncle 
and  aunt  had  themselves  caused  her  to  be  carried  off  in  spite 
of  Dame  Widow  St.  Martin,  grandmother  and  guardian  of  the 
said  Angeliqne  Godet,  and  because  under  the  English  domi- 
nation I  could  not  refuse  to  marry  them,  and  feared  that  the 
Commandant  himself  would  marry  them  in  English  fashion, 
and  that  thus  tlie  scandal  occasioned  by  my  refusal  would  be 
followed  by  acts  on  tlie  part  of  other  unnatural  children,  who 
would  adopt  the  same  course  of  disobedience  to  their  father 
and  mother  or  other  holding  their  place. 

"  SiMPLICIUS   BoCQUET, 

"  Recollect  Missionary  Vic.-Genl." 

This  gives  us  a  picture  of  the  interference  of  these  military 
lieutenant-governors  in  the  West  and  their  oflicials  in  affairs 
of  the  Church. 

Yet  if  the  good  Recollect  had  diflBculties  he  had  consola- 
tions also,  and  bears  testimony  to  the  worth  of  Zachary 
Cicotte,  long  trustee  of  the  church,  I>ieutenant  and  Aide- 
Major  in  the  Militia,  remarkable  through  his  long  life  for  his 
liberal  charities,  who  died  in  August,  1775,  after  a  painful 
illness,  borne  with  the  most  jierfect  resignation. 

After  the  Jesuit  Fathers  had  been  carried  off  by  order  of 
the  I^uisiana  Council,  and  Very  Rev.  Mr.  Forget  Duverger 
withdrew,  the  Catholics  in  Indiana  and  Illinois  were  almost 
entirely  deprived  of  religious  succor.  The  only  priests  remain- 
ing were  two  Sons  of  St.  Francis,  Fathers  Hippolyte  and  Luke 
Collet  at  Ste.  Anne  de  Fort  Chartres.  The  former  had  minis- 
tered there  from  May,  1759,  and  the  latter  from  the  month  (.i 
May,  in  the  year  1761      They  attended  the  declining  settli'- 


A 


F.  MEURIN  RETURNS. 


113 


ment  at  the  old  French  fort  and  its  depepi  mc  chapels,  the 
Visitation  at  Si.  Philippe  and  St.  Joseph  at  Prairie  du 
Rocher.  In  his  last  entry,  June  17,  1764,  Father  Hippolyte 
styles  himself  "Ordinary  missionary  of  the  said  parish." 
With  his  withdrawal  Father  Luke  was  left  alone,  calling 
himself  "parish  priest"  on  the  5th  of  June,  and  on  the 
t?th  of  August  he  wrote  in  his  register,  "  being  the  only 
missionary  in  the  country,"  '  but  the  next  year  deatli  closed 
his  ministry  in  the  West.     No  priest   could   be  expected 

SIGNATURES  ON  FATHERS  MEURIN  AND  COLLET. 

from  Canada,  where  the  death  of  the  bishop  and  the  ruin 
of  the  country  gave  little  hope  that  the  distant  missions 
could  soon  be  supplied  with  ministers  of  religion.  Father 
Meurin  felt  for  their  spiritual  destitution.  He  applied  to 
the  shameless  Council  in  Louisiana  for  permission  to  return 
to  his  old  field  of  labor  rather  than  be  sent  to  France.  It 
was  a  heroic  resolution  in  a  man  already  advanced  in  years. 
He  had  no  means,  and  no  provision  was  offered  for  his  sup- 
jx.rt.  The  property  of  the  Society  had  been  sold  ;  that  of  the 
Quebec  priests  was  in  other  hands.  Yet  no  sooner  had  Father 
IMeurin  received  the  permission  he  solicited  than  he  set  out. 
His  health  during  his  twenty-one  years'  mission  had  never 
been  good,  yet  he  went  fearlessly  on,  trusting  in  Divine 
Providence,  and  disregarding  all  the  hardships  before  him. 


'  Rcj,'ister  of  St.  Anne  de  Fort  Chartres.    I  am  indebted  to  O.  W. 
Collet,  Esq,,  of  St.  Louis,  for  liis  copy.    Father  Luke  died  Sept.  10, 1765. 


114 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


1l 


I 


I 


provided  he  could  once  more  minister  to  the  French  and 
Indians,  whose  poverty  he  was  content  to  share.  Touched 
by  his  zeal  the  Louisiana  authorities  promised  to  solicit  from 
the  Court  an  allowance  of  six  hundred  livres,  equiv  ■  ent  to 
$120  a  year,'  but  before  he  set  out  they  assured  him  that 
Louisiana  was  no  longer  included  in  the  diocese  of  Quebec, 
and  insisted  upon  his  promising  in  writing  that  he  would 
not  recognize  any  other  ecclesiastical  superior  than  the  Supe- 
rior of  the  Capuchins  at  New  Orleans,  who  alone,  they  de- 
clared, had  and  was  to  possess  jurisdiction  in  the  province. 
Of  this  they  were  by  the  earliest  opjx)rtunity  to  furnish  him 
evidence.  This  stipulation  Father  Meurin  signed,  adding 
that  if  it  pleased  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  to  confer  jurisdiction 
on  the  most  miserable  negro,  he  would  be  as  submissive  to 
him  as  to  the  most  deserving  of  bishops.  Thus  pledged  to 
correspond  neither  with  Quebec  nor  Rome,  the  lone  mission- 
ary returned  to  the  desolated  chapels  of  Illinois  and  Indiana.* 
His  faculties  were  those  verbally  given  him  by  Very  Rev. 
Forget  Duverger  on  his  departure. 

He  made  his  toilsome  way  up  the  Mississippi,  and  the  Regis- 
ter of  Kaskaskia,  opened  by  him  in  an  old  account-book  which 
he  managed  to  secure,  attests  on  the  30th  of  September,  1764, 
a  burial  performed  before  his  arrival  on  the  8th  of  that  month.' 

Father  Meurin's  care  extended  to  the  French  on  both  sides 
of  the  Mississippi,  and  he  soon  l>ecame  convinced  that  he 
had  been  imposed  upon  at  New  Orleans,  for  early  in  1765 
lie  records  the  church  and  parish  as  in  the  diocese  of  Quebec. 
Consciour  how  unable  he  was  to  fulfil  the  duty  of  jxistor  to 

'  "  Bannissement  des  Jesuit«s  de  la  Louisiane,"  Paris,  1865,  p.  60. 

*  F.  Sebastian  L.  Meurin  to  Mgr.  Olivier  Briand,  Bishop  of  Quebec, 
March  23.  1767. 

'  "  Registre  de  I'Eprlise  Paroissiale  de  I'lmmaculfee  Conception  de  Notre 
Dame  dcs  Kaskaskias." 


ILLINOIS. 


115 


''I'll 


60  many  scattered  Catholics,  he  appealed  to  Father  Dagobert, 
the  Capuchin  Superior  at  New  Orleans,  and  to  the  Fathers 
of  his  couiiiiunity,  for  priests  to  aid  him.  He  wrote  to  the 
Jesuit  Fathers  in  Philadelphia,  who  could  give  him  only 
their  sympathy.  He  wrote  to  the  Abbe  de  I'Isle  Dieu,  agent 
at  Paris  for  Canada,  but  no  relief  came.  The  Ee'collect 
Father,  Luke  Collet,  gladly  welcomed  the  Jesuit  priest,  and 
we  find  him  at  Kaskaskia  in  June  and  July,  1765. 

The  British  authorities  even  made  exertions  to  obtain  a 
priest  for  Illinois.  An  aide-de-camp  of  General  Gage  on  the 
L>4th  of  June,  1766,  wrote  to  Father  Harding,  "  requesting 
hinj  to  recommend  a  priest  of  his  religion,  if  he  knew  of  any 
well  attached  to  His  Majesty's  person  and  government,  to  go 
to  the  IHinois,  the  king's  new  subjects  in  those  parts  having 
repeatedly  applied  to  him  for  that  purpose."  ' 

Rev.  Mr.  Meurin's  residence  was  at  the  wooden  church  of 
St.  Genevieve,  on  the  western  side,  then   in    "  Le  Grand 
Chump,"  three  miles  south  of  the  present  place  of  that 
name,"  and  his  visits  across  the  river  were  as  frequent  as  pos- 
sible ;  but  they  did  not  extend  to  Vincennes,  where  Stephen 
Phillibert  gave  private  baptism  to  the  children  born  in  the 
post,  and  proclaimed  the  banns.     "  This  Illinois  country," 
wrote  Father  Meurin  in  1767,  "consists  of  only  six  villages, 
each  of  about  fifty  to  sixty  fires,  not  including  a  considerable 
number  of  slaves.     These  villages,  on  account  of  their  dis- 
tance and  situation,  would  each  require  a  priest,  especially  in 
this  English  part.     The  parish  of  the  Immaculate  Conception 
at  the  Kaskaskias,  that  of  St.  Joseph  at  Prairie  du  Roeher 
(which  is  only  a  succursal  of  St.  Anne  at  Fort  Chartres,  now 


'  Guy  Carleton  to  the  Earl  of  Hillsborough,  July  17,  1769. 
•  Rozier,  "An  Address.    150th  Celebration  of  the  Founding  of  Sainte 
Genevieve,"  St.  Louis,  1885,  p.  10. 


116 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


'      i' 


abandoned  by  the  inhabitants),  and  the  parish  of  the  Holy 
Family  of  the  Kaokias  or  Tamaroas,  and  the  Indians.  It  is 
twenty-five  leagues  from  the  first  village  to  the  last.  On  the 
French  or  Spanish  side  beyond  the  river  are  situated  the 
village  of  St.  Genevieve,  title  of  St.  Joachim,  on  which  de- 
pend la  Saline  and  the  mines,  and  thirty  leagues  higher  up 
the  new  village  of  St.  Louis,  which  is  made  up  of  the  rem- 
nants of  St.  Philip  and  Fort  Chartres.  These  two  villages 
are  as  large  as  the  former  in  inhabitants  or  in  red  or  black 
slaves.  Saint  Joachim  or  St.  Genevieve  is  my  residence,  as 
it  was  stipulated  in  the  conditions  for  my  return  to  this 
country.  From  it  I  come  every  spring  and  visit  the  other 
villages  for  Eastertide.  I  return  again  in  the  autumn  and 
whenever  I  am  summoned  on  sick  calls.  This  is  all  my  in- 
firmities and  my  means  enable  me  to  do,  and  this  displeases 
and  prejudices  the  people  at  St.  Genevieve,  who  alone  main- 
tain and  support  me,  and  they  complain  of  it.  In  this  state 
the  people,  and  especially  the  children  and  slaves,  lack  suffi- 
cient instruction,  and  deprived  of  a  pastor's  vigilance,  they 
are  insensibly  li)sing  piety,  and  giving  themselves  up  to  vice. 

"  There  are  still  many  families  here,  in  which  religion  pre- 
vails, and  who  justly  fear  that  it  will  die  out  with  them. 
They  join  me  in  beseeching  you  to  take  compassion  on  their 
children,  and  to  send  them  at  least  two  or  three  priests,  if 
yotir  Ix)rd8hip  c^uinot  send  four  or  five,  who  would  be  neces- 
sary, one  of  them  with  the  title  of  Vicar-Geueral  of  your 
Lordship. 

"  I  endeavor  to  keep  up  the  use  of  the  public  offices  and 
prayers  in  my  absence,  to  aid  them  to  sanctify  Sundays  and 
holydays.  There  are  many  already  who  no  longer  come 
to  church,  or  com.e  only  to  show  disrespect.  Some,  indocile 
or  insolent,  say  openly  enough  that  I  have  no  authority,  that  I 
am  not  their  pastor,  that  I  have  no  right  to  give  them  advice, 


VINCENNES. 


117 


and  that  they  are  not  obliged  to  listen  to  me.  They  would 
not  have  dared  to  speak  so  while  Messrs.  Sterling  and  Farmer 
were  commandants.  Under  the  rule  of  these  two,  no  one 
dared  commit  the  least  disrespect. 

"  For  the  last  year  St.  Anne's  church  has  been  without 
roof  or  doors,  &e. 

"  The  post  of  Vincennes  on  the  "Wabash  among  the  Mi- 
ami Pinghichias,  is  as  large  as  our  best  villages  here,  and 
needs  a  missionary  even  more.  Disorders  have  always  pre- 
vailed there:  but  have  increased  in  the  last  three  years. 
Some  come  here  to  be  married  or  to  perform  their  Easter 
duty.  The  majority  caimot  or  will  not.  The  guardian  of 
the  Church  publishes  the  banns  for  three  Sundays.  He  gives 
certificates  to  those  who  are  willing  to  come  here,  whom  I 
publish  myself  before  marrying  them.  Those  who  are  un- 
willing to  come  here,  declare  their  mutual  consent  aloud  in 
the  Church.     Can  such  a  marriage  be  allowed  ? "  * 

The  keeper  of  the  church  at  Vincennes,  was  Stephen 
Phillibert  dit  Orleans,  who  ga\'e  private  baptism  to  new- 
born children,  and  kept  a  register  of  these  baptisms  and  of 
burials.' 

Notwithstanding  the  articles  of  Capitulation  and  the  pro- 
visions of  the  Treaty  of  Paris,  the  English  government  was 
not  disposed  to  grant  the  promised  toleration  of  the  true  faith. 
The  instructions  to  the  governors  breathed  extreme  hostility 
to  the  Church.  Bishop  de  Pontbriand  died  during  the  war ; 
his  Cathedral  was  in  ashes.  The  Kev.  Mr.  Montgolfier  was 
elected  by  the  Chapter  to  be  presented  to  the  Pope  as  the 
next  Bishop,  but  on  proceeding  to  England,  was  not  permit- 
ted to  cross  over  to  the  Continent  to  receive  his  bulls  and  be 


'  Letter  to  fiisliop  Briand. 

'  Phillibert's  entries  extend  from  January  11,  1764,  to  1769. 


118 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


consecrated  Bishop  of  Quebec.  Tlie  Rev.  Olivier  Briand 
was  then  elected  on  the  11th  of  September,  17G4 ;  but  though 
he  went  to  England,  he  could  not  obtain  the  sanction  of  the 
English  government  for  a  visit  to  France  in  order  to  obtain 
consecration.  At  last,  after  a  delay  of  more  than  a  year,  it 
was  intimated  to  him  indirectly  that  if  he  went  to  France 
and  was  consecrated,  no  oflfence  would  be  taken.  Acting  on 
this  hint,  Mgr.  Briand  proceeded  to  the  Continent :  the  Sov- 
ereign Pontiff  approving  the  choice  of  the  Chapter  of  Que- 
bec, issued  his  bulls  on  the  2l8t  of  January,  1706,  making 
him  Bishop  of  Quebec.  He  lost  no  time  in  obtaining  con- 
secration, and  on  the  28th  of  June,  reached  his  episcopal 
city,  whence  he  issued  a  pastoral  letter  to  his  flock. 

The  tidings  of  the  kidnapping  of  the  Jesuit  Fathers  in  the 
Illinois  country,  and  of  the  conduct  of  Rev.  Mr.  Forget  in 
forsaking  his  mission,  had  reached  the  Bishop  in  France, 
and  had  filled  him  with  anxiety  as  to  this  unexpected  spirit- 
ual destitution  of  his  children  on  the  reuiote  frontier. 

When  he  reached  Canada,  however,  Father  du  Jaunay, 
who  had  descended  to  the  St.  Lawrence,  cheered  the  Bishop 
by  the  intelligence  that  Father  Meurin  had  so  courageously 
returned  to  the  Illinois  country.  It  took  a  great  load  off  his 
mind.  In  June,  1707,  he  wrote :  "  I  cannot  sufficiently  ex- 
press the  joy  I  felt  on  learning  from  Father  du  Jaunay  that 
one  Jesuit  remained  in  the  unfortunate  Illinois  and  Miseis- 
sippi  country.  Since  Providence  without  regard  to  my  un- 
worthiness  has  laid  upon  me  the  heavy  and  fearful  burden  of 
the  Quebec  bishopric,  I  have  always  been  in  a  mortal  anxiety 
as  to  the  lot  of  the  poor  Christians  cf  your  districts."  .... 
"  Yes,  your  presence  in  those  places  fills  me  with  consola- 
tion ;  for  I  hope  that  you  will  kindly  bestow  your  care  on 
those  forsaken  people.  I  bless  the  Almighty  a  thousand 
times  for  having  inspired  the  English  with  goodness  and 


•.  I 


F.  MEVRIN  APPOINTED  VICAR-OENERAL.    119 

consideration  for  you,  and  authorizing  your  ministry."  .... 
'•  I  send  you  very  ample  letters  of  Vicar-General.  You  will 
use  them  wherever  you  may  be  in  that  extensive  part  of  my 
diocese,  the  limits  of  which  are  immense,  and  which  I  my- 
self do  not  know.  It  is  at  least  sure  that  they  extend  to  all 
the  territories  which  the  French  possessed  in  North  Amer- 


ica 


)>  1 


With  this  letter  the  Bishop  sent  a  pastoral  on  the  Jubilee 
to  enable  the  Catholics  on  the  Mississippi  to  gain  it. 

As  .s(»t)n  as  the  joyful  news  reached  the  solitary  Jesuit  of 
the  arrival  of  a  bishop  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  he  ap- 
l)ealed  to  Mgr.  Briand  to  send  priests.  In  a  seqond  letter  he 
wrote :  "  I  am  only  sixty-one  years  old  ;  but  I  am  exhausted, 
])ioken  down  by  twenty-five  years'  mission  work  in  this  coun- 
tiT,  and  of  these  nearly  twenty  years  of  malady  and  disease 
show  me  the  gates  of  death." »  "  I  am  incapable  of  long  ap- 
plication or  of  bodily  fatigue.  I  cannot  therefore  supply  the 
spiritual  necessities  of  this  country,  where  the  stoutest  man 
could  not  long  suffice,  especially  as  the  country  is  intersected 
by  a  very  rapid  and  dangerous  river.  It  would  need  four 
priests.  ^^  If  you  can  give  only  one,  he  should  be  appointed  for 
Kaokia." 

The  good  priest  wrote  thus  at  this  very  point  Cahokia, 
where  he  had  been  for  three  days,  but  was  compelled  to  leave 
three-fourths  of  the  work  there  undone  and  return  to  Saint 
Genevieve  to  attend  a  man  dangerously  sick. 

Bishop  Briand  knew  full  well  the  value  of  this  devoted 
priest.  He  sent  a  pastoral  letter  to  the  people  of  Kaskaskia, 
who  had  written  asking  for  a  priest,  and  he  wished  the  letter 
read  to  all  the  French  congregations.     His  letter  to  Father 


'  Bishop  Briand  to  F.  Meurin,  June,  1767. 
'  Letter  from  Cahokia,  May  9,  1767. 


vh 


120 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Meurin,  August  7,  17(57,  enclosed  his  conunist'ioii  us  Vioar- 
(Tcneral,  iiiul  cheered  In  in  by  the  promise  that  two  priests 
sliouhl  l)e  sent  to  the  Illinois  country  in  the  spring.' 

This  mark  of  fonfidence  on  the  part  of  the  IJishopof  Que- 
bec, placed  the  missionary  in  a  difficult  iwsition.  Although 
the  powers  of  Vicar-(ieneral  extended  to  New  Orleans,  he 
knew  well  that  they  would  be  regarded  as  a  violation  of  his 
agreement  to  recognize  no  superior  but  the  head  of  the 
Capuchins  in  Louisiana,  although  they  had  never  according 
to  their  promise  exhibited  the  authority  they  claime<l  to 
possess. 

P''ather  Meurin  did  not  ])ublish  Ins  letters  of  Vicar-General, 
but  the  fact  became  known,  and  it  was  told  in  New  Orleans. 
Rocheblave,  Conunandant,  asked  Father  Meurin  by  what  au- 
thority he  announced  a  Jubilee,  and  on  Avhom  he  depended. 
When  the  missionary  replied  that  it  was  by  the  authority  of 
the  Bishop  of  Quebec,  whose  Vicar-General  he  was,  de 
Rocheblave  declared  :  "  I  know  no  English  bishop  here,  and 
in  a  post  where  I  command,  I  wish  no  ecclesiiwtical  jurisdic- 
tion recognized  except  that  of  the  Archbishop  of  St.  Domin- 
go." '  A  decree  was  at  once  made  proscribing  Father  Meu- 
rin, and  orders  were  issued  for  his  arrest  as  a  State  criminal 
for  recognizing  a  jurisdiction  not  admitted  by  Spain.  A 
friend  hastened  to  warn  him  of  his  danger,  and  Father  Meu- 
rin left  Saint  Genevieve,  crossing  the  Mississippi  to  English 
territory.  There  he  at  once  took  the  oath  of  fidelity  as  a 
resident  of  the  Illinois  country  before  the  conquest,  and  was 
safe  from  Spanish  prosecution. 

His  ministry  could  after  that  l)e  exercised  only  in  Illinois. 

'  Bishop  Briand  to  Father  Meurin,  August  7,  1767 ;  Letters  mnkinjr 
him  Vicar-General  for  the  Illinois,  Tamarois,  and  New  Orieans,  April 
28,  1769.     "  Archives  de  I'Archoveche  de  Quebec,'"  C.  235. 

'  Letter  of  F.  Simplicius  Bocquet  to  Bishop  Briand,  May  12,  1768. 


*<»-.,.. 


KASKASKIA  PASTORAL.  12I 

There  ho  found  much  to  do.  He  pr.K;laitned  the  Jubilee, 
and  iniiiiy  profited  hy  tlie  oeeaflion  to  fulfil  duties  long  neg- 
lected. At  Cuhokitt  all  conimunioaiit*'  except  two  received 
holy  communiou. 

The  labors  of  the  missionary  were  strengthened  by  this 
puHtoral  adtlressed  especially  to  liis  flock  : 

"  To  the  Inhabitants  of  Kaskaakia  : 

"August  7,  1767. 
"  It  is  about  two  months,  our  dear  children,  that  I  wrote 
to  the  Reverend  Father  Meurin  to  confide  to  him  uiy  powers 
(.f  Vicar-General.     I  write  to  him  again  to  confirm  them  to 
him  anew.     My  intention  is  that  you  should  obey  him  as 
myself.     I  expect  to   send  you   next  spring  one  or  two 
missionaries  to  aid  him  to  root  out  among  you  the  vices 
v,hich  I  know  prevail  there,  for  I  have  been  informed  that 
the  spirit  of  piety  is  greatly  diminishing  among  you.    When 
Fiither  Meurin  takes  the  trouble  to  visit  you,  many  do  not 
come  to  the  church,  or  come  only  to  show  a  want  of  res[Hict ; 
there  are  even  some  indocile  persons,  who  in  some  of  thj 
parishes  which  he  attends,  refuse  to  recognize  him  as  pastor, 
siiy  that  he  has  no  right  to  admonish  them,  and  that  they  are 
not  obliged  to  hear  him  ;  others  have  the  temerity  to  marry 
without  having  their  marriage  blessed  by  the  priest.     I  write 
to  Father  Meurin,  in  order  that  he  may  put  a  stop  to  all 
these  disorders,  or  rather,  my  dear  children,  it  is  you  your- 
selves, whom  I  address  with  confidence;  it  is  to  those  among 
you  who  are  most  Christian,  (for  I  still  learn  with  consolation 
thai  there  are  families  among  you  in  which  relifjion  shines 
with  lustre,)  it  is  they,  I  say,  whom  I  wish  to  remind  that 
Jesus  Christ  has  confided  to  each  one  of  us  the  care  of  our 
neighbor.     Strive  then  to  edify  each  other  and   lead  each 
other  to  virtue.    You  know  well  that  the  holy  Catholic  relig- 


i 


r 


m 


XifJf  Of      RCH'^MMOF  CARROLL. 


ion  ill  which  /'"♦»  Wi  Sd  i  ''«  hwppiness  «»f  l»^iij;  l)oni,  will 
lie  nmiiituiiied  M««eafter  amougf  >'<»«,  owly  ho  far  ati  yoW  thow 
affection  for  it^  «Dd  an  yuti  ohmrw  its  ref^rnlutiuiiH  with  i^<>til 
and  nt>  if  vrere  of  yourwivcH.  I  cannot,  uh  wiih  formerly 
(lone,  exeft ,  t'ofiy  violence  ngainnt  traIl^/fes8orB,  hy  culling  on 
the  civil  ]X)wif  U>  compel  them  to  return  (o  their  n-  ity.  It 
depcndH  then  o»*  yoMi  -n-f^es,  my  dear  children,  to  w  'ntain 
yoiirnelveH  in  the  practice  if  good  and  to  sliow  hy  your  re- 
Hpcct  for  my  Vicar-General,  and  hy  your  docility  in  practin- 
ing  the  counselH  he  gives  you  that  you  are  animated  not  hy 
fear  of  temporal  penalties,  l)Ut  hy  the  love  of  your  religion, 
and  a  dcHire  for  your  Halvation.  Moreover  I  warn  you  that 
if  yon  (leHpiwe  this  advice  which  I  give  you,  as  your  father,  I 
will  hereafter  pay  no  attention  to  your  |)etition8  and  that  I 
shall  regard  you  an  nieml>erH  of  my  diocese  who  no  longer 
deserve  my  attention.  For  know  that  I  make  a  great  effort 
in  promising  to  send  you  priests ;  I  see  their  numher  daily 
diminishing  in  my  diocese,  and  I  liave  hnt  feehle  resources 
to  snpply  them.  From  every  side  they  call  u|K)n  ine  for 
prietUt  and  I  cannot  give  them.  I  do  not  know  by  what 
secret  movement  of  God's  grace  1  have  felt  impelled  to  j)refer 
you  •  .  many  others.  The  gain  of  your  souls  and  the  sad 
condition  to  which  you  have  long  been  re<luced  hiw  touched 
me,  and  you  come  up  before  my  mind  more  vividly  even 
than  if  you  were  before  my  eyes. 

•'  •{•  John  Olivier,  Bishop  of  Quebec."  ' 

This  pastond  of  Bishop  Briand,  read  to  all  the  congrega- 
tions, filled  the  good  with  consolation,  as  they  felt  that  the 
head  of  the  dioces*:  hud  not  forgotten  them  and  their  spiritual 
wants.     Many  who  had  begun  to  think  themselves  utterly 

'  Archives  of  the  Archbishopric  of  Quel)ec. 


PRETENDED  SALES  OF  CHURCH  LANDS,    laa 

.il.ut.(lont'(l  ro8mne<l  courugu,  and  re-entored  the  way  of  Hal- 
vatioii. 

In  tliiH  iK-ttor  Htato  of  feeling  Father  Mmirin  en,|eav„r..d 
t..  rocorer  the  proixjrty  of  the  d.urch.  KankaHkia  chand 
and  th..  (.enu'tery  at  Cahokia,  after  the  vvm<m  of  the  cuntry 
to  Kn-lan<l,  had  lajen  Hold  l.y  an  otHcial  from  Now  OHeann 
to  John  HaptiHt  HeauvaiH,  who  agreed  to  denioliHh  the  chapel 
and  not  t..  cdtivate  the  ground.  The  Hale  waH  illeg„l  •  and 
HeanvaiH  leased  tlie  chapel  for  n  varehouHo  and  the  ee.uetery 
fur  a  garden.  The  altar,  window.,  uh  well  an  many  of  the 
artu-les  nned  n.  divine  v.^rship,  were  used  in  the  hounen  of 
the  place. 

In  endeavoring  t.  ...cure  the  ,,roperty  of  the  Seminary  of 
(2uel.ec  at  Cah«.kia  ne  was  coinpelle<l  to  appeal  to  Forhen  the 
Cotnnmndant,  hut  that  officer  would  not  aid  him,  and  even 
torhade  Imn  to  aHHume  the  title  of  Vicar-General. 

The  people  generally  did  not  recogruze  him  astheir  parish 
l.ne8t.  and  although  he  had  been  atten.ling  them  for  four 
years,  refused  to  pay  hi,n  any  tithcH :  hut  one  ..f  the  English 
Comn.andantH  extorted  six  dollarH  for  every  marriage  Corpus 
rhr,st,  whi.-h  had  in  French  days  been  colel,rate<I  with  ,>omp 
the  .nd.tm  taking  part  in  the  procession,  was  now  celebrated' 
withu.  the  diurch,  as  the  Com.nandants  would  not  allow  the 
nnhtia  to  appear. 

The  chapd  at  Fort  Chartres  was  menaced  by  the  river 
and  Father  Meurin,  with  pious  care,  removed  to  Prairie  du 
Rod,er  the  renjains  of  Rev.  Mr.  Gagnon,  and  of  the  Recol- 
lect I-ather,  Luke  Collet.' 

Bishop  Briand  directed  Father  Meurin  to  insist  on  the  res- 
tituhon  of  all  church  goods  under  pain  of  exco,„munication. 
A8  to  the  pretended  sales  of  church  lands  l.y  those  destitute 


"ather  8eb.  L.  Meurin  to  Bishop  Briand.  .Tune,  1767. 


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124 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


of  autliority  to  give  a  valid  title,  he  decided  that  the  people 
themselves  were  to  take  the  matter  in  hand,  and  repay  the 
purchasers  their  outlay,  if  they  bought  in  ignorance  and  in 
good  faith.  In  regard  to  tithes  the  Bishop  was  peremptory. 
"  No  tithes,  no  sacraments.  It  is  an  offering  made  to  God, 
which  the  Church  assigns  to  the  support  of  the  mission- 
aries ;  and  even  if  tliere  were  scarcely  any  missionaries,  it 
must  be  paid.  Except  in  case  of  poverty,  you  must  be  firm, 
and  do  not  fear ;  provided  prudence  and  charity  direct  you, 
as  I  am  confident  they  will.     Keligio^i  is  free."  ' 

The  first  priest  sent  to  assist  Father  Meurin  was  the  Rev. 


FAC-BIMILE  OP  SIGNATURE  OP  BKV.    PETER  QIBAUT.T. 

Peter  Gibaiilt,  who  had  been  educated  at  the  Seminary  of 
Quebec,  on  the  last  remnant  of  the  Cahokia  mission  property, 
an  annual  payment  of  333  livres.'  He  was  ordained  on  the 
feast  of  St.  Joseph,  in  the  year  1768,  and  set  out  at  once  for 
the  Illinois  country,  where  he  was  to  play  a  conspicuous  part. 
He  went  with  the  full  consent  of  the  English  authorities  and 


'  Bishop  Briiind  to  Father  8.  L.  Meurin,  April  26,  1769. 

'  A  •'  rente  "  on  the  Hotel  de  Ville.  In  1768  the  Seminnry  transferred 
all  its  rights  in  the  Tamarois  property  to  Bishop  Briand  and  the  Faliriciuc 
of  the  parish  of  the  Holy  Family  at  Cahokia  ;  but  the  En.trlish  conunaud 
ers  in  Illinois  would  not  allow  Rev.  Mr.  Meurin  or  Gibault  to  oceupy 
the  Seminary  estate,  although  the  purchasers  set  up  no  claim.  Cardinal 
Taschereau,  "  Histoire  du  Seminaire  de  Quebec,"  inedite.  Rev.  P. 
Gib>iult  to  Bishop  Priand,  .July  28,  1768,  177rt. 


MICHILIMACKINAC. 


125 

l,v  General  Gage's  own  desire.'  His  journey  was  delayed  by 
constant  rams  ;  on  reaching  Michilimackinac,  the  firct  of  the 
posts  within  the  district  assigned  to  him,  he  began  to  hear 
confessions,  remaining  till  late  every  night  In  order  to  accom- 
modate all,  for  .nany  of  the  voyageurs  had  not  seen  a  priest 
f(,r  three  years  and  some  not  even  for  ten.  Rev.  Mr  Gibault 
spent  a  week  at  the  post  to  effect  all  the  good  possible,  bap- 
tizing the  children,  and  blessing  one  marriage.^ 

Some  of  the  Indians  whom  Father  Du  Jaunay  had  attended 
also  came,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault  confessed  all  who  knew 
French  enough  to  express  themselves.  These  good  Indians 
still  mourned  the'  loss  of  their  missionary,  as  much  as  they 
did  the  day  he  left  them. 

It  was  apparently  intended  that  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault  should 
t.ke  up  his  residence  at  Cahokia,  so  a^  to  revive  the  old 
Tamarois  mission;  but  that  settlement  had  dwindled  away  • 
the  tine  property,  orchards,  house,  mills,  and  barns  erected 
by  the  heminary  priests,  were  crumbling  to  ruin ;  the  church 
was  little  better.^     Kaskaskia  was  the  important  place,  and 
the  inhabitants  generally  wished  him  to  make  it  his  resi- 
dence.   The  disinterested  Father  Meuri,;,  to  leave  to  the  new 
M..ss.onary  the  more  populous  posts  and  best  means  of  sup- 
port mthdrew  to  Cahokia,  spending  part  of  his  time  at  Prai- 
rie ,lu  Iu)cher,  where  the  twenty  settlers  offered  to  build  him 
a  house,  and  suj^pb^all  his  needs.     In  fact  they  gave  him  a 

'  Peter  Gibault,  son  of  Peter  Gibault  and  Mnrv  <Jt    t„ 
Montreal,  X^  ,  n.T.    Tan.uay.  ^l^^^ ^.^^^  "^^ 
Rev.  Pierre  Gibault,  the  Patriot  Priest    .f  .1.,.  w    ,"  •'       '"    '     ^^"^^ 
Catholie."  Sei.ten,l.er  30,  I882!  '     '"      ^^"«l'i"gton 

•' Hev.  P.  Gibault  to  Bishop  Briand    ,Iulv  oq    i7flfl      ..r>     • 
.Mi.hilin,aekinac,"July  23,  1768.  ^      '  ^^^''       «<'S>«t'-e  <le 

'Hev.  P.  Gibault  to  Bp.  Briand,  February  IT  17fiQ      ..  n     •  .     ^ 

S':,.''""'""'" "'  '■'"■'»-"■■•  co-pZi'i  D..!r  K,t 


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iJF£7  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


horse  and  caleche,  as  well  as  a  servant.  The  people  of  Kas- 
kaskia,  influenced  by  the  dominant  party  in  Louisiana,  were 
hostile  to  Father  Meurin  as  a  Jesuit,  and  many  would  not 
recognize  him  at  all ;  indeed  not  ten  men  had  been  to  com- 
munion in  four  years.  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault,  accordingly,  took 
up  his  residence  at  Kaskaskia,  where  he  was  well  received  by 
the  British  Commandant,  and  on  the  8th  of  September,  1768, 
he  records  a  baptism  in  the  "  Register  of  the  Immaculate 
Conception,"  styling  himself  "parish  priest  of  Kaskaskia." 
He  also  visited  Saint  Genevieve,  which  Father  Meurin  could 
enter  only  by  stealth  at  night ;  but  that  veteran  visited  Fort 
Chartres  and  St.  Phihppe. 

The  young  Canadian  priest  entered  on  his  duties  with  zeal 
and  energy,  but  was  soon  prostrated  by  the  "Western  fever, 
violent  at  first,  then  slow  and  enervating,  but  he  rallied,  and 
went  on  bravely  with  the  work  before  him,  the  magnitude  of 
which  became  daily  more  appalling.  At  Kaskaskia  by  hav- 
ing prayers  every  night  in  the  church,  and  by  catechetical 
instructions  four  times  every  week,  he  revived  faith  and  de- 
votion, lie  brought  nearly  all  to  their  Easter  duty  in  1700, 
and  a  better  spirit  prevailed,  the  tithes  being  promi)tly  paid.' 
Besides  Kaskaskia  there  were  other  villages  and  hamlets ;  it 
was  only  by  consttrnt  travel  that  he  was  able  to  reach  the 
scattered  Catholics,  who  had  long  been  deprived  of  the  ser- 
vices of  a  priest.  Besides  the  inhabitants  of  French  origin 
and  the  Indians  of  the  former  missions,  he  found  Catholics 
in  the  18th  (Royal  Irish)  regiment,  which  was  stationed  't 
Kaskaskia,  the  commandant  giving  the  men  every  facility  to 
attend  to  their  religion.' 


'  Rev.  P.  Gibault  to  Bp.  Briand,  February  15,  1769. 
'  Rev.    P.    Gibault    to    Bp.  Briand,   June   15,   176$ 
Packet,"  October  5,  1772. 


"  Pennsylvania 


VINCENNES.  j2^ 

The  next  year  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault  blessed  the  little  wooden 
cl>apel  which  had  been  erected  at  Paincourt,  our  modern  St 
Louis.' 

Vincennes  on  the  Wabash,  although  a  place  of  some  eid.t  v 
or  nmety  fa.nilies,  had  not  seen  a  priest  since  Father  Devenvii 
w;.s  carried  off  in  1763  ;  as  a  natural  consequence  of  this  con- 
dition, vice  and  ignorance  were  becoming  dominant;  yet  the 
people  earnestly  solicited  a  priest.  There  were  two  cluster,  of 
Cathohcs  at  St.  Joseph's  River,  and  some  at  Peoria,  Ouiate- 
11011,  and  other  points.' 

Bisliop  liriand  encouraged  these  isolated  priests,  and  gave 
them  wise  and  temperate  counsels  for  their  conduct  in  cor- 
recting  evils  that  had  grown  up,  while  the  people  were  left 
without  priest  or  sacrifice.'     Evidently  at  the  instance  of 
Fatlier  Meurin  and  to  give  that  missionary  greater  authority, 
the  Bishop  of  Quebec  had  made  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault  his 
Vicar-General.     That  priest  succeeded  in  inducing  the  peo- 
ple to  resume  the  payment  of  tithes,  which  though  onlv  as 
in  Canada  one-twenty-sixth  of  the  produce,  not  one-tenth 
amonnted  in  1769  to  two  or  three  hundred  bushels  of  wheat' 
and  five  or  six  hundred  of  Indian  corn.  * 

In  the  winter  of  1769-70,  Very  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault  set  out 
for  \,ncennes,  although  hostile  Indians  waylaid  the  roads 
killing  and  scalping  many.  Already  he  could  report  that 
twenty-two  of  his  people  had  fallen  victims  to  the  sava-e  foe 
since  he  reached  the  Illinois  country.  The  frontier  priest  al- 
waj^m  these  day^^  peril,  carried  a  gun  and  two  pistols. 

■■  Father  S    L.  Mourin  to  Bp.  Briand,  June  14,  1769.     At  Ouiatenon 
tliere  were  14  Froneh  families,  and  9  or  10  at  the  .junction  of  i^'Z 

:::;;;:"«t  1:^  ""'■  ''^^"'  ''■^'"'  ^^  '"^  cat.on.  atV- : 

■'  BLxliop  Briand  to  Father  IFeurin,  :\rnreli  23.  1770 


■\  ;■■^ 


i  I; 


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128  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

He  reached  Vineennes  safely,  and  after  deploring  the 
vices  and  disorders  that  prevailed,  tells  of  his  touching  re- 
ception. "  However  on  my  arrival,  all  crowded  down  to  the 
banks  of  the  River  Wabash  to  receive  me ;  some  fell  on  their 
knees,  unable  to  speak;  others  could  speak  only  in  sobs; 
some  cried  out :  '  Father,  sjive  us,  we  are  almost  in  hell ';  otliers 
said :  '  God  has  not  then  yet  abandoned  us,  for  He  has  sent 
you  to  us  to  make  us  do  penance  for  our  sins.'  '  Oh,  sir, 
why  did  you  not  come  a  month  sooner,  my  poor  wife,  my 
dear  father,  my  dear  mother,  my  poor  child  M'ould  not  have 
died  without  the  sacraments.'  "  '  Father  Meurin  attests  the 
good  which  his  younger  associate  accomplished  and  joined 
him  in  urging  the  Bishop  to  send  a  resident  priest  to  the 

Wabash.' 

Yerv  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault  spent  two  months  at  Vineennes, 
laboring  earnestly  to  revive  religion  in  the  people,  and  foniwl 
a  IVsbyterian  family  settled  there,  who  asked  to  be  instructed 
and  received  into  the  true  fold.  Animated  by  his  zeal,  the 
people  began  to  rebuild  tlie  church,  which  he  made  a  very 
neat  wooden  structure  of  considerable  height.  The  priest's 
house  was  a  large  one  with  a  fine  orchard,  a  garden  aii'l 
farming  lands  attached.  He  wished  to  make  it  comfortable 
for  the  expected  priest.  The  Catholics  in  the  district  w.mv 
estimated  at  seven  or  eight  hundred,  eighty  being  farmers 
cultivating  the  soil.' 

Having   reanimated   the   faith   at  Vineennes,  the  active 


I  Letters  of  Viciir-Qcneral  for  the  Illinois  and  Tamnrois,  May  3,  17fiH. 
"  ArchevtVlu'  dv  QuelxT,"  V.  249.  Very  Uev.  P.  Gilmult  to  Bp.  Hriand, 
June  15,  17(i9.  In  this  Utter  he  notes  that  Pontiac  had  been  killed  by  a 
Peoria  at  Ciiliokia,  two  months  before. 

''  Same  to  same,  .Tune  15,  1770. 

^  Very  Hev.  Mr.  Gibault  to  Bp.  Briand,  .Tune  15,  1770.  "  Registre  dc 
Vineennes." 


FATHER  MEURIN. 


129 


])rie8t  set  out  for  Kaskaskia,  escorted  by  a  guard  of  twenty 
men.    When  he  got  back  to  liis  residence  he  found  the  Span- 
iards in  possession  of  the  western  shore  of  the  Mississippi, 
l)iit  that  they  had  come  unattended  by  a  priest.     He  there- 
fore continued  his  missionary  visits  to  St.  Genevieve  and  St. 
Louis,  and  in  1770  proposed  to  the  Bishop  to  extend  iiis 
labors  to  Peoria,  St.  Josepli,  Michihmackinac,  the  Miamis, 
and  Weas.     But  the  failing  healtli  and  memory  of  Father 
Aleurin  made  it  impossible  to  leave  him  alone  to  attend  the 
Illinoi.s  missions,  and  on  the  withdrawal  of  the  English  troops 
the  acts  of  Indian  violence  became  fearfully  frequent.    Thrice 
(lid  Kev.  Mr.  Gibault  fall  into  their  hands,  escaping  with  life 
only  on  his  promising  not  to  reveal  their  presence  in  the 
neigliborhood.     Amid  all  these  trials  and  labors  he  sank  into 
discouragement,  and  implored  the  Bishop  to  send  him  to 
some  other  niission,  or  at  least  to  allow  him  to  go  and  make 
a  retreat  where  he  might  recover  a  true  ecclesiastical  spirit. 

At  last  in  1772  he  was  able  to  announce  that  the  Capuchin 
Father  Valentine  had  reached  St.  Louis  as  its  parish  priest, 
and  the  next  year  Father  Hilary  of  the  same  order  took  up 
liis  residence  at  old  Saint  Genevieve.  These  priests  were 
sent  by  Father  Dagobert,  the  Superior  of  the  Capuchins  at 
New  Orleans,  wno  acted  in  utter  disregard  of  the  Bishop  of 
Quebec' 

In  1774  Father  Meurin  received  frotn  New  Orleans  the 
news  that  a  brief  of  Clement  XIY.  had  been  published  extin- 
gnishing  the  Society  of  Jesus.  He  had  for  years  been  with- 
out a  provincial  or  local  superior  ;  he  now  threw  himself  on 
the  charity  of  Bishop  Briand.     "  Free,  I  would  beseech  and 


'  DoIuTfy,  "Address."  p.  0;   T?ozier,  "Address,"  p.  H.     Very  Rev 
Mr.  (JiLiiuli  to  HLsliop  Hriai.d,  .June  20,  1772.     The  Ciitholics  in  Eiiirli.sli 
Illinois  at  this  time  asked  tlie  Hi.shop  to  retrencli  some  of  the  holidliys 
Monday  and  Tuesday  after  Easter  and  Pentecost      lb 
6* 


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180 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


bet?  your  charitable  goodness  to  be  a  father  to  me,  and  admit 
absohitely  among  the  number  of  your  clergy,  instead  of  an 
auxiliary  as  I  have  been  since  February  1,  1742.  I  should 
deem  myself  happy,  if,  in  the  little  of  life  left  me,  I  could 
repair  the  cowardice  and  negligence  of  which  I  have  been 
guilty  in  tlie  space  of  thirty-three  years.  If  you  will  adopt 
me,  I  am  sure  you  will  i)ardon  me  and  ask  mercy  for  me." 

In  the  wliole  Mississippi  Valley  the  Brief  of  the  Suppres- 
sion affected  only  this  one  lone  Jesuit,  laboring  manfully  to 
keep  religion  alive  in  the  Western  wilds. 

In  1775  Rev.  Air.  Gibault  visited  Canada.  Then  returning 
to  his  laborious  post,  he  reached  Michilimackinac  in  Septem- 
ber ;  but  waited  in  vain  till  November  for  any  opportunity  of 
proceeding  further.  As  lie  could  not  winter  there  or  reach 
the  Illin(»is  country,  he  returned  at  great  risk  to  Detroit, 
steering  the  canoe  which  was  paddled  by  a  man  and  boy  who 
had  never  before  made  the  trip.  In  constant  peril  from  the 
ice  and  with  great  suffering,  he  at  last  arrived  at  Detroit. 
"  The  suffering  I  have  undergone  between  Michilimackinac 
and  this  place,"  he  wrote,  "  has  so  deadened  my  faculties 
that  I  only  half  feel  my  chagrin  at  being  unable  to  proceed 
to  the  Illinois.  I  shall  do  my  best  not  to  be  useless  at  De- 
troit, and  to  relieve  the  two  venerable  old  priests  who  attend 
it."  ' 

When  it  was  ascertained  that  Canada  would  be  permitted 
to  retain  its  clergy  and  religious  institutions,  many  Acadians 
and  persons  who  had  emigrated  to  France  embarked  for  that 
province.'  This  recalled  some  who,  under  the  first  impulse, 
hod  crossed  to  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  and  pre- 
vented the  total  removal  of  the  population. 


'  Letter  to  Bishop  Briiind,  December  4,  1775. 

'  "  New  York  .lournal,"  October  23,  1766 ;  "  New  York  Mercury," 
February  3,  1767. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  QUEBEC  ACT  AND  ITS  INFLUENCE  ON  THE  ENGLISH  COLONIES. 

After  the  Conquest  of  Canada,  the  King  of  England  by 
proclamation  established  the  four  governments  or  provinces, 
Canada,  East  and  West  Florida,  and  Grenada. 

For  some  unexplained  reason,  perhaps  through  mere  igno- 
rance, the  limits  given  to  Canada  were  not  those  of  the 
French  province  of  that  name,  which  included  Northern 
Ohio  and  Indiana,  Michigan  and  Wisconsin  :  Lower  Indiana, 
in(fluding  Vincennes  and  most  of  Illinois,  having  been  sub- 
ject to  Louisiana,  as  we  have  seen.  England,  however,  took 
tlioni  as  part  of  Canada,  yet  the  southern  line  of  the  new 
English  government  of  Canada,  as  fixed  by  the  royal  procla- 
mation of  1763,  was  a  line  from  Lake  Nipissing  to  Lake 
Chaniplain. 

Miissachusetts,  Connecticut,  New  York,  and  Virginia  all 
laid  claim  to  the  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio  under  their 
charters,  but  the  English  government  did  not  for  a  moment 
recognize  the  shadowy  claims  of  the  seaboard  colonies  to  ter- 
ritory which  their  people  had  never  been  able  to  reach,  much 
less  to  occupy,  and  with  which,  even  at  this  time,  there  was 
no  direct  communication  or  trade.  The  people  in  the  unor- 
ganized territory  were  governed  from  New  York  by  the 
British  Commander-in-Chief,  through  officers  appointed  by 
liim.  The  people  had  neither  French  nor  English  law,  Init 
were  at  the  caprice  of  petty  military  tyrants.'      \  pamphlet 


!  ni 


');• 


"  Detroit  before  1775  was  not  governed  by  any  system  whatever,  mid 

(131) 


m 


182 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


\t 


l.:l 


m 


emanating  from  the  French  in  IHinois  in  1772,  while  stating 
that  tliey  had  liitherto  derived  little  henelit  from  their 
dependence  on  the  English  king,  expresses  the  belief  that 
had  government  fullj  understood  the  position  of  affairs 
"  they  would,  doubtless,  before  this  time  have  granted  us  a 
civil  government,  by  means  of  which  we  should  not  have 
been  subjected  to  the  impositions  and  oppressions  of  our  past 
tyrants  "...."  and  we  have  no  doubt  that  the  enjt>yment 
of  our  religious  rights  will  soon  be  confirmed  to  us  and  the 
administration  of  civil  government  established  among  us." 

It  recognized  the  services  of  the  missionaries,  to  whom 
indeed  civil  order  was  mainly  due.  "  We  have  had  a  long 
experience  of  the  exemplary  piety  and  virtue  of  our  worthy 
Fathers  Aleurin  and  Gibault,"  it  says,  while  urging  the  peo- 
ple to  establish  a  school  and  pay  a  schoolmaster  in  each 
village."  That  any  forms  of  civilized  life  prevailed  was  due 
entirely  to  the  few  priests  and  their  influence.  Lieut.-Gen. 
Gage,  by  a  proclamation  issued  April  8,  1772,  ordered  "all 
those  who  have  established  themselves  upon  the  Ouabachc, 
whether  at  St.  Vincent's  or  elsewhere,  to  quit  those  countries 
instantly  and  without  delay,  and  to  retire,  at  their  choice, 
into  some  one  of  the  colonies  of  his  Majesty."  The  peojile 
of  Vincennes,  who  were  thus  threatened  with  wholesale  evic- 
tion, sent  to  Genera]  Gage  a  protest  claiming,  with  some  ex- 
aggeration indeed,  that  they  had  been  settled  there  for  seventy 
years,  and  that  they  held  their  lands  under  grants  made  by 
the  order  and  under  the  protection  of  his  most  Christian 


tlie  commanding  general  antl  his  suhonlinatps  conld  do  as  they  choso." 
C'ampbfU,  "  Outline  of  ihi'  Political  History  of  Mic'liij,'an,"  Detroit,  1876, 
p.  134. 

'  '•  Invitation  Sericusf  aiix  HahitantM  des  Illinois,"  siirni'd  "  Un  Habi- 
tant des  Kiuskaskia,"  printed  apparently  in  1772,  pp.  13,  15. 


DEBATE  ON  THE  (QUEBEC  ACT. 


133 


iiKiji'Hty.     Gage,  however,  insisted  on  a  definite  statement  of 
eiicli  Hcparate  grant.' 

It  is  easy  to  conceive  the  alarm  which  this  conduct  spread 
through  the  Northwest  territory,  where  the  Catholic  settlers 
saw  no  future  hefore  them  but  a  repetition  of  the  fate  that 
had  overtaken  their  unfortunate  fellow-countrymen  and  fel- 
low-Catholics in  Acadia. 

But  in  England  a  kindlier  feeling  toward  the  Canadians 
hegan  to  prevail,  and  it  was  regarded  as  a  necessity  to  allow 
tlioiu  for  a  time  at  least  to  live  under  their  own  French  laws, 
and  enjoy  their  religion  unmolested,  leaving  the  introduction 
of  Englirth  laws  and  systems  to  be  the  gradual  work  of  time. 
With  the  same  view  it  was  deemed  best,  in  compliance  with 
the  wishes  of  the  people  in  Canada,  to  reannex  the  territory 
northwest  of  the  Ohio  to  Canada,  and  allow  all  the  French 
R^ttlcmonts  to  be  under  a  uniform  system.  The  people  of 
Canada  demanded  the  reannexation  of  that  district  as  a  right.' 
This  led  to  the  introduction  in  1774  of  a  law  known  as 
the  Quebec  Act.  It  passed  the  House  of  Lords  without  op- 
position, but  in  the  lower  chamber  a  long  and  earnest  debate 
ensued,  in  which  Edmund  Burke,  Barre,  Fox,  and  Lord  John 
Cavendish  took  part.  The  establishment  or  recognition  of 
French  law  and  of  the  Catholic  religion  was  a  terrible  bug- 
bear. That  a  Catholic  priest  should  under  the  English  flag 
openly  discharge  his  sacred  ministry  and  exact  tithes  from 
his  people,  was  in  those  days  to  the  English  mind  something 


'  Dillon,  "The  History  of  Indiana,"  Indianapolis,  1843,  i.,  pp.  100-1. 

'  "They  intrcat  your  Majesty" "to  restore  to  Canada  the 

same  limits  which  it  liad  before,  and  to  include  the  coasts  of  Labradore 

in  the  province  of  Quebec  ;  and  those  parts  of  the  upper  country  which 

liiive  been  taken  from  it,  since  it  cannot  maintjiin  itself  without  its  usual 

•eonuiierce."     "  Petition  from  the  Inhabitants  of  Quebec  to  the  King,"  in 

•  Tiie  .Iu.stice  and  Policy,"  etc.,  London,  1774,  p.  72. 


\y 


*■'•'« 


184 


LIFE  OF  AliCIIBISHOP  CARROLL. 


■i  ' 


n 


IIH 


iippalliiig.  Every  imtioiial  and  religious  prejiuHee  vvuh 
arouned.  Lord  North  in  one  of  liia  replies  well  obwerved  : 
"  Whatever  the  (King'n)  proelaination  may  have  done,  it 
certainly  <iid  not  repeal  the  definitive  treaty.  The  proclama- 
tion gave  a  free  exercise  of  tlie  Roman  Catholic  religion,  an 
far  tw  Britinh  laws  would  permit,  (ireat  Britain,  undoubtedly, 
would  penint  that  exercise  to  the  extent  of  this  bill ;  it  would 
]>ormit  likewise,  that  in  the  colonies  of  America,  the  Roman 
Catholic  religion  might  have  this  provision.  Hut  what  doet: 
this  Act  give  i  It  gives  the  clergy  the  enjoyment  of  their 
accustomed  dues  and  rights.  They  must  have  been  there ; 
they  must  have  had  their  accustomed  dues  and  rights  before. 
The  bill  does  not  origiiuite  them  ;  it  gives  no  rights,  it  creates 
no  dues.  If  they  had  them  not  before,  this  bill  does  not 
give  them.  Therefore,  if  any  clergyman,  under  this  bill, 
should  claim  his  dues,  lie  must  show  he  liad  a  right  to  tliem 
before."'  Burke  admitted  this:  "You  have  got  a  people 
professing  the  Roman  Catholic  religion,  and  in  possession  of 
a  maintenance,  legally  appropriated  to  its  clergy.  Will  you 
deprive  them  of  that?  Now  that  is  not  a  question  of  estab- 
lishment ;  the  establishment  was  not  made  by  you  ;  it  existed 
before  the  treaty  ;  it  took  nothing  from  the  treaty  ;  no  legisla- 
ture lias  a  right  to  take  it  away ;  no  governor  has  a  right  to 
suspend  it.  This  principle  is  confirmed  by  the  usage  of  every 
civilized  nation  of  Europe.  In  all  our  conquered  colonies, 
the  estjd»lished  religion  was  confirmed  to  them  ;  by  which 
I  understand,  that  religion  should  receive  the  protection  of  the 
state  in  those  colonies;  and  I  should  not  consider  that  it  had 
received  such  protection,  if  their  clergy  were  not  protected." ' 

'  Sir  Henry  Cavendish,  "  Debates  of  the  House  of  Commons  in  Ihe 

year  1774,  on  the  hill for  the  government  of  the  province  ol 

Quelwc,"  London,  1889,  p.  63. 

•  lb.,  p.  223. 


U  W 


11 


(1 


ITS  PROVISIONS. 


VST) 


The  bill  panned  the  Commons,  June  13, 1Y74,  by  a  vote  of 
50  to  20,  and  receiving  tlie  royal  asHcnt  on  the  22d,  became 
law  throughout  England  and  America,  to  which  it  exprcKnly 
applied. 

Ifnder  it  the  French  settlers  were  freed  from  the  tyranny 
(»f  military  despots,  their  lands  and  churches  were  secured 
to  them,  except  such  as  were  held  by  religious  orders  and 
conununities,  and  the  (piestion  of  tithes  so  long  held  in 
alH'yaiice  was  settled,  and  the  ptirihli  priest  had  a  legal  title  to 
his  tithes  in  Michigan,  Indiana,  IllirioiH,  Wisconsin,  and  by 
parity  at  Natchez  and  Mobile,  at  St.  Augustine  and  Pensa- 
cola. 

The  proposal  of  the  Quebec  Act  had  excited  great  indig- 
nation among  the  fanatical  portion  of  the  Protestant  pojmla- 
tid'i,  and  tiie  city  of  London  had  sent  into  the  House  of 
('ommons  a  violent  and  intolerant  protest  agiunst  its  passa<»-e. 
Tiie  newspapers  took  up  the  cry,  which  was  re-echoed  by  the 
journals  then  published  in  America. 

The  sections  of  this  famous  act  which  affect  the  history  of 
the  Church  in  this  country,  are  those  fixing  the  limit  of  the 
province  of  Quebec  al  »ng  the  western  line  of  Pennsylvania 
to  the  Ohio,  and  down  that  river  to  the  Mississippi,  and  the 
following  provision :  "  And,  for  the  more  perfect  security 
and  ease  of  the  minds  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  province, 
it  is  hereby  declared,  That  his  Majesty's  subjects,  professing 
the  religion  of  the  Church  of  Rome  of  and  in  *':o  said  prov- 
ince of  Quebec,  may  have,  hold,  and  enjoy  the  free  exercise 
of  the  religion  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  subject  to  the  King's 
supremacy,  declared  and  established  by  an  Act  made  in  the 
first  year  of  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  over  all  the  do 
minions  and  countries  which  then  did  or  thereafter  should, 
belong  to  the  imperial  crown  of  this  realm  ;  and  that  the 
clergy  of  the  said  church  may  hold,  receive,  and  enjoy  their 


186 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


|i   ' 


acouHt()iii(.'<l  (liicH  iind  riglitH  with  roHpect  to  such  perfcous  uiily 
HH  nhiill  profetiH  tlic  Miiid  ruligioii." 

Tlie  only  oath  to  Im)  oxiicted  of  tlio  Cutholics  in  that  prov- 
ince wiiB  in  these  wordH : 

"I,  A.  B.,  do  Hincerely  proiriiHo  und  swear,  That  I  will  be 
faithful  und  bear  true  allegiance  to  his  Majesty,  King  George, 
and  him  will  defend  to  the  utmost  of  my  power,  against  all 
traitorous  conspiracies  and  attempts  whatsoever,  which  shall 
be  made  against  his  person,  crown,  and  dignity  ;  and  I  will 
do  my  utmost  endeavor  to  disclose  and  make  known  to  his 
Majesty,  his  heirs  and  suecessftrs,  all  treasons  and  traitorous 
conspiracies  and  attempts,  which  I  shall  know  to  be  against 
him  or  any  of  them ;  and  all  this  I  do  swear  without  any 
equivo<'ation,  mental  evasion,  or  secret  reservation,  and  re- 
nouncing all  pardons  and  dispensations  from  any  power  or 
person  whomsoever  to  the  contrary.     So  Iielp  me  God." 

By  the  terms  of  this  "  Act  for  making  more  effectual  pro- 
vision for  the  government  of  the  province  of  Quebec,  in 
North  America,"  '  the  Catholic  Church,  in  what  is  now 
Ohio,  Indiana,  Michigan,  Illinois,  and  Wisconsin,  was  de- 
clared free  from  the  pains  and  penalties  of  the  penal  laws  of 
England  and  her  colonies  •  and  the  parish  priests  and  others 
acting  under  the  Bishop  of  Quebec  were  maintained  in  all 
the  dues  and  rights  which  they  enjoyed  under  the  French 
rule. 

This  concession  to  the  Catholics  aroused  bitter  feelings  in 
the  colonies  as  well  as  in  England.  The  newspapers  of  the 
day  c(»ntain  articles,  songs,  and  s<paib8  against  the  King  and 
Parliament,  and  the  Continentjd  Congress  in  September, 
1774,  characterized  the  act  as  "  in  an  extreme  degree  dan- 


'  The  QnelK-c  Act  was  published  in  full  in  the  "  Pennsylvania  Pack- 
el,"  September  5,  1774. 


EFFECT  ON  THE  WEST 


137 


jriToUH."  '  Arficli'H  in  tlio  joiirimlH  reprewrih'd  the  colon  icx 
UK  •'  HiirrouiKli'd  on  nil  huIou  h^-  eneinicH.  A  PopiHJi  Krcndi 
fjovcrnrnont  in  our  reur  Het  up  for  the  cxprt'HH  purpoHC  of 
(It'Ktroyin^'  our  libcrtit'H."  '  Another  writer  drew  a  terrible 
l.ictiiro  of  what  wim  to  Iit-fall  the  land.  "  We  may  live  to 
Hv  our  I'hurcheH  converted  into  inaHHiionses  and  our  landn 
|iiuiidcrcd  of  tythcH  for  the  Kupport  of  a  Popish  ck-r^ry.  Tiie 
Inquisition  nmy  erect  her  standard  in  PeniiHylvania,  and  tlie 
city  of  I'hiladclphia  may  yet  experience  the  carrmge  of  St. 
llartholomcw'K  day."  '  The  handful  of  Protestants  in  Can. 
uda,  wli(»  had  hoped  to  ride  the  (^itholics  with  a  rod  of  in.n, 
showed  their  disgust  in  protests/  and  l»y  adondiig  the  bust 
of  George  III.  with  a  nutre,  beads,  and  pectoral  cross.' 

The  (iuebee  Act  cortaitdy  became  the  law  of  the  land,  and 
the  CathoHcH  of  the  Northwest  territory  accpiired  rights  under 
it  which  could  not  l)e  disputed.  It  wiw,  however,  regarded 
i.y  the  old  English  colonies  as  the  last  of  the  wrongs  done 
thcin.  Among  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the  Continental 
Congress,  October  14,  1774,  was  one  enumerating  acts  of 
i'arliamcnt  which  were  declared  to  be  infringements  and 
violations  of  the  rights  of  the  colonies  ;  P|)ecifying  '*  the  act 
passed  in  the  same  session  (12  Geo.  III.)  for  establishimr  the 
Hoinan  Catholic  religion  in  the  province  of  QueVc'c."  The 
Address  issued  by  Congress  on  the  5th  of  Septend)er,  1774, 
"  to  the  People  of  Great  Britain,"  says :  "  We  think  the 
Legislature  of  Great  Britain  is  not  authorized  by  the  Consti- 
tution to  establish  a  religion,  fraught  with  sanguinary  and 


'  "Pennsylvania  Packet,"  September  19,  1774. 

♦  lb.,  September  26,  1774. 

•  Cnractacus  in  "  Pennsylvania  Packet,"  October  31,  1774. 

*  lb.  November  14. 1774.     Smith's  "  History  of  Canada."  ii.,  pp.  68-9. 
'  Smith's  "  History  of  Canada,"  ii.,  p.  73. 


*.tii 


188 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


impious  tenets,  or  to  erect  an  arbitrary  form  of  government 
in  any  quiirter  of  the  globe.''  "  By  another  act  the  dominion 
of  Canada  is  to  be  so  extended,  modelled  and  governed,  as 
that  by  being  disunited  from  us,  detached  from  our  interests 
by  civil  as  well  as  religious  prejudices,  that  by  their  numbers 
daily  swelling  with  Catholic  emigrants  from  Europe,  and  by 
their  devotion  to  administration  so  friendly  to  their  religion, 
they  might  become  formidable  to  us,  and  on  occasion  be  lit 
instruments  in  the  hands  of  power  to  reduce  the  ancient  free 
Protestant  colonies  to  the  same  state  of  slavery  with  them- 
selves." Other  passages,  too,  pictured  the  Roman  Catholics 
as  helping  England  to  enslave  America. 

This  address  was  from  the  pen  of  John  Jay,  in  whose  col- 
ony of  New  York  a  flag  was  run  up  with  the  legend,  "  No 
Popery."  The  "  Address  to  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Colonies," 
more  moderate  in  tone,  condemned  the  Quebec  Act  for  ex- 
tending the  limits  of  that  province  to  the  northern  and  west- 
ern boundaries  of  the  old  colonies,  and  establishing  tlie  Ro- 
man Catholic  religion,  instead  of  merely  tolerating  it,  as 
stipulated  by  the  treaty  of  peace.' 


'  ' '  Extracts  from  the  Votes  and  Proceedings  of  the  American  Conti- 
nentiil  Congress,  held  at  Phihidelphia,  Hth  September,  1774,"  etc..  New 
York,  1774,  pp.  4,  9.  10,  17,  25-7.  "An  Englishman's  Answer  to  the 
Address  from  the  Delegates  to  the  People  of  Great  Britain,"  New  York, 
1775,  says,  p.  22  :  "  T  am  still  more  a-stonished  at  what  you  tell  us  of  the 
fruits  of  their  religion."— "  But  if  the  actions  of  the  different  sects  in 
religion  are  enquired  into,  we  sliall  find,  by  turning  over  the  sad  historic 

page,  that  it  Wius  the sect  (I  forget  what  they  call  them,  I  mean  the 

sect  -which  is  still  most  numerous  in  New  England,  and  not  the  sect 
which  they  so  much  despise)  that  in  the  last  century  deluged  our  island 
in  blood  !  that  even  shed  the  blood  of  the  sovereign,  and  dispersed  im- 
piety, bigotry,  superstition,  hy|«)crisy,  jiersecution,  nuirder  and  relwllion 
through  every  part  of  the  empire."  See  "The  Quebec  Act  and  the 
Church  in  Canada,"  "American  Catholic  Quarterly,"  1885,  p.  601.  To 
make  the  act  more  odious  in  the  old  colonics,  it  was  reported  that  the 


PATRIOTISM. 


139 


But  the  people  at  large  were  not  deluded  by  politicians 
and  zealots  who  sought  to  trade  on  their  religious  prejudices. 
Tl'-ore  is  no  trace  of  any  hostility  shown  during  this  excite- 
ment to  the  Catholic  settlers  in  Maryland  or  Pennsylvania. 
Events  were  marching  rapidly,  and  the  pretended  fears  of 
political  leaders  deceived  few. 

Catholics  everywhere  were  in  full  sympathy  with  the  pa- 
triotic movement.  A  Protestant  minister  might,  like  the 
Rev.  Samuel  Peters  in  Connecticut,  draw  down  on  himself 
the  vengeance  of  impetuous  whigs,  but  no  one  raised  a  doubt 
as  to  the  fidelity  of  the  priests  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania 
to  the  cause  of  America.  As  the  struggle  became  imminent, 
priests  like  the  Rev.  John  Carroll,  who  had  been  employed 
in  Europe,  hastened  back  to  share  their  country's  fortunes  ; 
and  in  the  event,  as  we  shall  see,  the  French-speaking  Cath- 
olics and  their  priest  at  the  West  secured  that  territory  to 
the  republic. 

The  growth  of  a  better  feeling  toward  Catholics  after  the 
close  of  the  wars  with  France  and  Spain,  is  seen  in  the  fact 
that  Catholic  books  were  for  the  first  time  printed,  not  anon- 
ymously as  in  England,  but  openly.  Apparently  the  first 
book  thus  issued  was  a  prayer-book,  entitled  "  A  Manual  of 
Catholic  Prayers.  '  In  the  multitude  of  thy  mercy,  I  will 
come  into  thy  House  ;  I  will  worship  towards  thy  holy  Tem- 
ple in  thy  Fear.'  Psalm  v.  8.  Philadelphia :  Printed  for 
the  Subscribers,  by  Robert  Bell,  Bookseller,  in  Third  Street, 
MDCCLXXIV."' 

At  the  same  time  Bell  issued  proposals  for  printing  by  sub- 
scription Bishop  Challoner's  "  Catholic  Christian  Instructed." 
Subscriptions  were  received  "  by  Robert  Bell  and  also  by 


kinjr  was  nbout  to  ruise  an  army  of  30,000  Canadian  Catholics,  in  order 
to  irush  them.      '  New  York  Journal,"  November  3,  1774. 


140 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Arthur  John  O'Neill,  Fourth  Street ;  Patrick  Ilogaii,  Tallow 
Chandler  and  Soap  Boiler,  Pear  Street ;  James  Gallagher, 
Storekeeper,  Front  Street,  Philadelphia ;  William  Cullen, 
Storekeeper,  Pottsgrove ;  Mark  Wilcox,  Paper  Maker,  Con- 
cord, Chester  County ;  Welsh,  Storekeeper  in  Balti- 
more-town, Maryland." 

An  advertisement  in  the  "Annapolis  Gazette,"  May  29, 
1T77,  and  "  Pennsylvania  Evening  Post,"  December  28, 
1778,  also  notices  a  prayer-book  :  "  New  Publications  to  be 
sold  at  Mr.  William  Gordon's  in  Cornhill  St.,  Annapolis,  .... 
'A  Manual  of  (Roman)  Catholic  Prayers,  for  the  use  of 
those  (Roman  Catholics)  who  ardently  aspire  after  devotion 
(salvation),' "  etc.  The  work  referred  to  is  probably  not  Bell's 
book,  but  "  The  Garden  of  the  Soul ;  or,  a  Manual  of  Spir- 
itual  Exercises  and  Instructions  for  Christians  who  living  in 
the  world,  aspire  to  Devotion.  The  Seventh  Edition  cor- 
rected. London  printed.  Philadelphia :  Reprinted  by  Jo- 
seph Crukshank,  in  Market  Street,  between  Second  and  Third 
Streets." 


CHAPTER  IV. 


THE  CHPRCH  AND  CATHOLICS  DURING  THE  REVOLUTIONART  WAR. 

The  condition  of  the  Churcli  in  the  country  east  of  the 
Mississippi  in  1774  has  been  portrayed.  The  Catholic  bodies 
were  widely  separated;  in  tliose  of  French  and  Spanish 
orip'n  the  royal  aid  was  withdrawn,  and  the  people  were 
tlifioouraged.  The  suppression  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  cut  off 
all  hope  of  further  missionary  supply  from  that  order,  and 
the  prospect  for  the  future  was  bleak  enough,  as  no  provision 
for  the  maintenance  of  a  clergy  and  divine  worship  was 
made. 

The  Jesuits  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  formally  ac- 
cepted the  Brief  and  became  secular  priests.  The  property 
of  the  order  in  Illinois,  like  that  in  Canada,  was  taken  by  the 
English  government,  which  to  this  day  holds  the  latter  as  a 
trust.'  In  Maryland  the  title  to  the  property  had  not  been 
held  by  the  Jesuits  as  a  body  corporate,  but  by  individual 
members,  al'  British  subjects,  and  had  been  transmitted  from 
one  to  another  by  will  or  deed  ever  since  the  settlement  of 
the  country.  On  the  suppression,  Bishop  ChJloner  sent  the 
Brief  to  Maryland  for  the  adhesion  of  the  members  in  that 
and  tlie  adjoining  province,  but  neither  he  nor  the  Sovereign 
Pontiff  took  any  steps  in  regard  to  the  property. 


'  Tlie  Illinois  and  other  lands  must  Lave  passed  to  the  United  States  by 
the  treaty  of  1783  under  the  same  trust,  to  apply  them  to  the  purposes 
for  whioh  they  were  given.  "  Memoire  aur  les  Biens  des  .Jesuites  en 
(^.nadii,"  Montreal,  1874,  p.  90.  If  government  sold  the  laud,  the  pro- 
ceeds belong  to  the  Catholic  Church,  or  justice  is  a  mockery. 

(141) 


'.-'iii 


142 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


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The  outburst  of  bigotry  in  New  York,  excited  by  the 
Quebec  Act  and  stimulated  by  narrow-minded  fanatics  like 
John  Jay,  caused  the  only  serious  trouble  experienced  by 
Catholics  during  this  period.  A  number  of  Scotch  High- 
landers, chiefly  Catholics  from  Glengarry,  had,  as  already 
stated,  settled  near  Johnson  Hall,  in  the  Mohawk  Valley,  to 
which  they  liad  been  invited  by  Sir  William  Johnson.  They 
were  attended  by  the  Rev.  John  McKenna,  an  Irish  priest, 
educated  at  Louvain.  Comparatively  strangers  in  the  coun- 
try, many  speaking  English  imperfectly,  the  immigrants 
knew  little  of  the  points  on  which  the  colonists  based  their 
complaints  against  the  English  government.  They  soon 
found  themselves  denounced  as  tories,  papists,  and  friends  of 
British  tyranny  by  the  fanatics  near  them.  They  were  dis- 
armed by  General  Schuyler,  and  before  the  spring  of  1776 
began  to  withdraw  to  Canada,  by  way  of  Oswegatcliie,  aban- 
doning the  homes  they  had  created  in  the  wilderness.  Their 
siifferin*^  were  great,  one  party  subsisting  for  ten  days  on 
their  dogs  and  herbs  they  gathered  as  they  went.  Their 
priest,  more  obnoxious  than  his  flock,  withdrew  with  a  com- 
pany of  300,  and  took  up  his  abode  with  the  Jesuit  F'atliers 
at  Montreal. 

Thus  did  anti-Catholic  bigotry  deprive  New  York  of  in- 
dustrious and  thrifty  settlers,  and  send  to  swell  the  ranks  of 
the  British  army,  men  who  longed  to  avenge  the  defeat  at 
Culloden,  men  eager  to  draw  their  claymores  against  England. 

Otic  of  these  parties  of  Catholics  flying  from  persecution, 
was  attacked  by  Indians  from  St.  Regis,^  and  several  were 
killed.' 


'  Alli.n  McDonald  to  Congress,  March  25,  1776,  complaining  of  arrest 
near  Johnstown,  "American  Archives,"  v.,  p.  41.'}.  Thomas  Oummer- 
sall,  "New  York  Colonial  Documents,"  viii,,  p.  683  ;  Ferland,  "  Vic  de 
Mgr.  Plessis,"  p.  60  ;  English  edition,  p.  82.    Rev.  Mr.  McKenna,  when 


CATHOLICS  DRIVEN  OUT. 


143 


The  Rev.  John  McKenna  was  the  first  resident  Catholic 
priest  among  the  settlers  in  New  York  after  the  Jesuit 
Fathers  in  Dongan's  time,  nearly  a  century  before. 

The  influence  of  the  same  spirit  manifested  itself  also  in 
Baltimore,  where  John  Heflfeman,  a  Catliolie,  had  opened  a 
school.  We  are  told  "  that  the  laws  against  Roman  Catholic 
teachers  still  existing,  some  persons  actuated  by  worse  mo- 
tives broke  up  Mr.  John  Heffernan's  school,  and  he  also  left 
the  place." ' 

So,  too,  John  Maguire  and  his  wife,  Margaret  Tuite,  who 
had  resided  in  Delaware,  were  hunted  out  by  over-zealous 
whigs,  and  their  son  Thomas,  born  at  Philadelphia,  May 
9,  1776,  became  one  of  the  most  able  and  distinguished 
priests  in  Canada,  holding  many  important  positions  in  that 
province,  and  negotiating  its  affairs  in  England  and  Rome.' 
He  was  apparently  the  second  Cathdlic  priest  of  Pennsylva- 
nia birth.  Yet  Catholics  were  swelling  the  ranks  of  the 
army  which  the  colonists  raised  in  defence  of  the  rights 
chey  claimed  as  British  subjects,  and  as  the  British  liberties 
handed  down  from  their  ancestors.' 
When  the  petitions  and  remonstrances  of  the  American 


the  Hessians  arrived  in  Canada,  finding  that  many  were  Catholics  went 

from  company  to  company  preaching  and  confessing  in  German   which 

he  spoke  fluently.     SchlOsser,  "  Brief wechsel,"  Thiel  4  Heft  23  p  318 

"  N.  Y.  Revolutionary  Papers,"  ii.,  p.  196.     Tryon  to  Dartmouth  '  Feb- 

niary  7,  1776.     Capt.  McDonald's  letters.  "  N.  Y.  Historical  Society  " 

1882.  pp.  224.  275,  857.     The  result  was  that  in  1778.  Bishop  Hay  couH 

declare  to  Sir  John  Dalrymple.  "that  nearly  all  the  emigrant.s  who  had 

left  the  Highlands  a  few  years  b-jfore  were  now  wearing  his  Majesty's 

uniform."    Gordon,  "Journal  and  Appendix,"  Glasgow.  1867,  p.  144. 

'  Scharf.  "The  Chronicles  of  Baltimore,"  Baltimore,  1874,  p.  1.30. 

'  Tanguay,  "Repertoire  General  du  Clerge  Canadian,"  Quebec   1868 
p.  151.  '         ' 

'"Pennsylvania  .Journal,"  .January  24.  1776.    McCurtin's  Journal 
m  "  Maryland  Papers,"  Philadelphia.  1857,  p.  11.  ' 


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144 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


colonidts  failed,  and  the  English  government,  adhering  to  its 
policy,  increased  its  military  force  in  Massachusetts,  it  was 
evident  that  force  would  be  met  by  force.  The  English 
opened  the  war  by  the  advance  on  Lexington,  and  soon  after 
finding  themselves  encircled  by  troops  in  Boston,  attempted 
in  vain  in  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill  to  break  through  the  in- 
vesting army.  The  struggle  once  began,  the  otlier  colonies 
were  called  upon  to  send  troops ;  then  the  Catholics  of  Mary- 
land and  Peimsylvania,  with  many  in  other  parts,  shouldered 
their  muskets.  The  advance  into  Canada  found  so  many 
there  ready  to  join  the  Americans  against  their  old  enemies 
that  two  regiments  were  formed,  known  as  "  Congress'  Own," 

fac-simile  of  signature  of  rev.  l.  c.  de  i.otbini±re,  chaplain  of 

congress'  own. 

one  of  them  Livingston's,  having  a  chaplain  duly  commis- 
sioned by  the  Continental  Congress,  the  Rev.  Francis  Louis 
Chartier  de  Lotbiniere  of  the  Order  of  Malta,  who  served 
with  the  regiment.' 


'  "  They  have  appointed  a  priest  called  LotWni^re  to  absolve  the  people : 
tlicy  give  him  ii  salary  of  1,500  livres,  and  promise  him  a  bishopric." 
"N.  Y.  Historical  Collections,"  1880,  p.  221.  The  Rev.  Mr.Lotbinitre's 
f ommission  bore  date  .Jan.  26, 1776.  Ilamersly,  "Army  Register."  Wnsh- 
ington,  1881,  p.  32.  Tanguay,  "  Repertoire  General,"  Quebec,  1868,  p.  103. 
Bishop  Briand,  Appointment  Oct.  2,  1770.  The  Canadian  Corps  was  at 
Fishkill,  November  12,  1776  "  N.  Y.  Revolutionary  Papers,"  i.,  p.  534. 
Hazen's  Repiment  was  on  the  right  of  the  American  storming  party  at 
Yorklown.     The  Canadians  who  ioined  the  American  cause  were  excom- 


DEATH  OF  F.  SITTENSPEROER. 


145 


All  Canada  would  have  been  won  but  for  the  influence  of 
John  Jay's  bigoted  address  to  the  People  of  Great  Britain,  in 
which  the  Canadians  and  their  religion  were  assailed  in  the 
grossest  terms.  The  change  of  sentiment  caused  by  this  ill- 
timed  and  unchristian  address,  led  to  the  defeat  of  Montgom- 
ery and  to  the  decline  of  the  American  cause  in  Canada. 
Something  should  now  be  said  of  the  condition  of  the 
Cliurch  at  this  time. 

In  1775  the  Catholic  mission  lost  one  of  its  zealous  mem- 
bers by  death.  This  was  the  German  priest.  Rev.  Mathias 
Sittensperger,  known  in  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  by  the 
name  of  Manners.  He  expired  at  Bohemia,  on  the  10th  of 
June,  attended  by  Eev.  Mr.  Mosley  from  Tuckahoe,  of  a 
dysentery  which  was  epidemic  on  the  Eastern  Shore,  and  gave 
the  two  missionaries  abundant  occasions  for  the  exercise  of 
their  zeal.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Mosley  was  urged  by  his  family 
to  return  to  England,  but  he  saw  the  mission  losing  priests, 
and  no  clergymen  coming  to  take  their  place.  He  would 
not  desert  the  field  in  which  he  had  so  long  labored.  "  I  see 
that  I  am  a  very  necessary  Hand  in  my  situation,"  he  wrote, 
'•  and  our  Gentlemen  here  won't  hear  of  my  departure."  So 
lie  stuck  manfully  to  his  post,  his  "Single  Horse-Chair," 
carrying  far  and  wide  through  the  peninsula  of  the  Eastern 


nuinicated  by  the  Bishop  of  Quebec,  and  those  who  returned  to  Canada 
were  denied  (lie  sacraments  even  on  tlieir  death-bed,  unless  they  openly 
recognized  that  tliey  had  committed  sin  by  joining  the  Americans. 
Cliristian  burial  was  as  a  consequence  denied  them,  and  they  were  buiied 
by  the  roadside.  Dc  Gaspe,  "  Les  Anciens  Canadiens,"  1877,  pp.  183-4. 
Another  priest  in  Canada  who  sided  with  the  Continental  Congress, 
was  the  Sulpitian,  Hev.  Peter  Iluet  de  la  Va'.iniire,  cure  of  Ste.  Anne  du 
Sud.  lie  was  sent  out  of  Canada  by  the  English  authorities  in  1779,  and 
ordered  to  embark  in  the  fleet  which  left  Quebec  October  25.  He  came 
to  the  United  States,  and  his  name  will  recur  in  our  pages.  Ilaldimand 
to  Bishop  of  Quebec,  October  14, 1779,  in  Brymner,  "  Report  in  ('anadian 
Archives,"  Ottawa,  1887,  p.  473. 


m 


i 


m 


140 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Shore  the  benefits  of  reh'gion.'  Meunwliile  lie  wiis  preparinji; 
to  l)uild  a  chnri'h-htmse  on  the  plantation,  and  while  the  war 
was  going  on,  bravoly  undertook  it. 

In  1775  the  Rev.  Bernard  Dideriek  was  assigned  to  the 
Baltimore  mission,  and  the  Catholics,  we  have  seen,  gained 
possession  of  their  church  in  a  very  curious  way.  From  this 
time  it  was  attended  monthly,  we  are  told,  but  only  a  low 
mass  was  sjiid,  and  the  Acadians  complained  to  the  Abbe 
Robin  of  the  difference  they  found  between  the  Maryland 
clergy  and  their  old  priests  at  home.'  Though  some  of  the 
leading  men  even  retai.ied  the  old  prejudices  againet  Cath- 
olicity, a  more  liberal  spirit  was  rapidly  gaining  ground. 
Virginia  had  in  the  number  and  violence  of  her  penal  laws 
against  the  clergy  and  people  who  professed  the  ancient  faith, 
exceeded  all  other  colonies.  Under  the  new  impulse  she 
showed  a  complete  change,  and  her  statesmen  were  foremost 
in  advocating  religious  liberty.  With  this  sentimcat  Wash- 
ington was  imbued,  and  he  showed  it  on  taking  command  of 
the  (Continental  army  which  held  the  British  in  Boston. 

In  the  calendar  of  England  the  fifth  of  November  had 
4x^en  kept  annually  as  a  holiday  to  commemorate  the  discov- 
ery of  the  Gunpowder  Plot  against  James  I.  There  it  was 
"  Guy  Fawkes'  Day."  Puritans  could  not  very  consistently 
hold  celebrations  to  denounce  Catholics  for  attempting  to 


'  Letter  August  16,  1775. 

'  Robin,  "  Nouveau  Voyage  dans  rAm6rique  Septentrionale  en  Tan- 
nee  1781,"  pp.  98-101.  His  account  is  by  no  means  accurate  and  some 
of  bia  blunders  curious.  Thus  be  says:  "Maryland  is  inhabited  by 
many  Catholics.  The  city  of  Fredericksburg  in  Virginia,  1ms  several 
churches,  w  well  as  Charles  Town  capital  of  C-'arolina.  Ail  Ihc.'^e  cburcbes 
in  North  America  were  subject  to  the  jurisdiction  of  a  Bishop  in  jiartibuH 
residing  in  London,"  etc.  He  evidently  mistook  his  hasty  notes.  He 
piobably  not«d  the  church  at  Fredericktown,  Marylaud,  and  several 
( Impels  in  Charles  Co.,  Maryland. 


END  OF  ''POPE  day: 


147 


kill  the  father,  when  they  thenieel  es  actually  killed  the  m\\. 
]3ut  as  the  neglect  to  observe  iho  day  might  be  censured, 
they  shrewdly  compromised  the  matter— "  Guy  Fawkea* 
Day"  became  "  Pope  Day  "  in  New  England.  A  figure  to 
re])re8ent  the  person  whom  the  majority  of  Christians  on 
earth  honored  as  their  Supreme  Pontiff  was  carried  in  mock- 
cry  through  the  streets  of  Boston  and  other  New  England 
towns,  and  finally  burned  amid  the  huzzas  of  the  rabble. 
Occasionally  there  were  several  processions,  and  on  one  occa- 
sion the  adherents  of  two  rival  popes  in  Boston  attacked  each 
i>ther  with  great  fury.' 

Soon  after  General  Washington  took  command  of  the 
American  army  he  was  informed  that  "  Pope  Day "  was 
to  be  celebrated  in  camp.  The  insult  to  the  Catholic  relig- 
ion was  distasteful  to  his  more  liberal  mind,  and  as  Congress 
was  making  every  exertion  to  win  the  favor  of  the  Cana- 
dians, and  the  Catholics  in  the  Northwest  and  in  Maine,  he 
saw  how  impolitic  such  an  exhibition  of  bigotry  would  be. 
He  accordingly  issued  the  follo^ving  order,  which  abolished 
"  Pope  Day"  forever,  the  celebrations  of  1774  having  been 
the  last : 

"  November  5th.  As  the  Commander-in-Chief  has  been 
apprised  of  a  design  formed  for  the  observance  of  that  ridic- 
ulous and  childish  custom  of  burning  the  effigy  of  the  Pope, 
he  cannot  help  expressing  his  surprise  that  there  should  be 
officers  and  soldier )  in  this  anny  so  void  of  common  sense  as 
not  to  see  the  impropriety  of  such  a  step  at  this  juncture ; 
at  a  time  when  we  are  soliciting,  and  have  really  obtained 
the  friendship  and  alliance  of  the  people  of  Canada,  whom 

"  "Weekly  Post-Boy,"  November  18,  1745,  under  Boston  news. 
•Mnssaclmsetts  Gazette,"  November  7,  1765;  8.  G.  Drake,  "The  His- 
tory and  Antiquities  of  Boston,"  Boston,  1856,  pp.  662,  709,  752,  772. 
"  U.  8.  Catholic  Historical  Magazine,"  ii.,  p.  1. 


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ii 


148 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


we  ought  to  coJimder  as  hri'throii  eiiilmrked  in  the  Haiiie 
cause — the  defeiit't'  of  the  liberty  of  Ainerica. — At  this  June- 
ture,  and  under  siieli  circiunHtances,  to  he  inHultin^  tlieir  re- 
hfijion,  in  so  inoimtrons  as  not  to  he  suffered  or  excused  ; 
indeed  instead  t)f  offering  the  most  remote  insidt,  it  is  otir 
duty  to  address  inihlic  thanks  to  these  our  brethren,  as  to 
tliem  we  are  indebted  for  every  late  happy  success  over  the 
common  enemy  in  Canada." 

Yet  as  late  as  Novend)er  5,  1774,  the  Pojie  in  effigy  liad 
been  paraded  with  the  devil  throngli  the  streets  of  not  only 
New  England  towns,  but  even  of  (Charleston,  and  burnt  on 
the  Common,  in  presence  of  a  numerous  crowd  of  people. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll  was  in  the  midst  of  active  j)atriot8  ; 
his  brother  Daniel  and  his  kinsman,  Charles  Carroll  of  Car- 
rollton,  were  already  prominent,  the  latter  exalted  in  the 
public  estimation  by  his  recent  victory  over  Daniel  Dulany, 
the  ablest  lawyer  in  America. 

On  the  15th  of  February,  1770,  the  Continental  Congress 
resolved  "that  a  committee  of  three — two  of  whom  to  bo 
members  of  Congress — be  appointed  to  repair  to  Canada, 
there  to  pursue  such  instructions  as  shall  be  given  them  by 
that  body."  Benjamin  Franklin  and  Samuel  Chase,  mem 
Ixjrs  of  Congress,  were  selected  as  Conmiissioners  with  Charles 
Carroll  of  Carrollton,  whose  fluency  in  French  and  wliose 
religion  would  secure  him  a  hearing.  Congress  went  further 
and  refjiiested  the  Rev.  John  Carroll  to  join  the  Commis- 
sioners itnd  assist  them  in  such  things  as  they  might  think 
useful.'  The  patriotic  priest  was  ready  to  risk  life,  but  would 
not  compromise  his  priestly  character.     He  left  his  flock 


'  Washington's  Writings,  iii.,  p.  144.  "  New  York  Joiinml,"  Decern- 
l)er  \'t,  1774.  .Journals  of  Congress.  "  American  Archives,"  v.,  p.  411. 
8paldiug,  "  Life  of  the  Most  liev.  M.  J.  Spalding,"  p.  2:58. 


THE  MISSION  TO  CANADA. 


149 


for  a  time  to  go  and  lend  his  influence  to  induce  tlie  Cana- 
dians to  remain  neutral  in  the  struggle  between  England  and 
iier  ancient  colonies. 

In  a  letter  to  his  mother  he  thus  describes  his  journey  to 
Canada : 

"  "We  have  at  length  come  to  the  end  of  our  long  and 
tedious  journey,  after  meeting  with  several  delays  on  account 
of  the  impassable  condition  of  the  lakes ;  and  it  is  with  a 
longing  desire  of  measuring  back  the  same  ground,  that  I 
now  take  up  my  \^en,  to  inform  you  of  my  being  in  good 
health,  thank  God,  and  of  wishing  you  a  perfect  enjoyment 
of  yours. 

"  We  came  hither  the  night  before  lafit  and  were  received 
at  the  landing  by  General  Arnold,  and  a  great  body  of  offi- 
cers, gentry,  etc.,  and  cMiluted  by  firing  of  cannons  and  other 
military  honors.  Being  conducted  to  the  General's  house, 
we  were  served  with  a  gla-s  of  wine,  while  people  were 
crowding  in  to  pay  their  compliments,  which  ceremony  being 
over,  we  were  shown  into  another  apartment,  and  unexpect- 
edly met  in  it  a  large  assembly  of  ladies,  most  of  them 
French.  After  drinking  tea,  and  sitting  some  time,  we  went 
to  an  elegant  supper,  which  was  followed  with  the  singing  of 
the  ladies,  which  proved  very  agreeable,  and  would  have 
been  more  so,  if  we  had  not  been  so  nmch  fatigued  with  our 
journey.  The  next  day  was  spent  in  receiving  visits,  and 
dining  in  a  large  company,  with  whom  we  were  pressed  to 
sup,  but  excused  ourselves  in  order  to  write  letters,  of  which 
this  is  one,  and  will  be  finished  and  dated  to-morrow  morning. 

"I  owe  you  a  journal  of  our  adventures  from  Philadelphia 
to  this  place.  When  we  came  to  Brunswick  in  the  Jersey 
government,  we  overtook  the  Baron  do  W ,  the  Prus- 
sian General  who  had  left  Philadelphia  the  day  before  us. 
Though  I  had  frequently  seen  him  before,  yet  he  was  so  dis- 


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100 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


guiHcd  in  furs,  that  I  Hcareo  knew  liiiu,  and  nevor,  never  be- 
held a  more  laii^hablo  object  in  my  life.  Lilie  other  Prun- 
eian  otHcerH,  he  appears  to  ine  as  a  man  who  knows  little  of 
polite  life,  and  yet  has  picked  up  so  much  of  it  in  his  piiHsage 
through  France,  as  to  make  a  most  awkward  appearance. 
When  we  came  to  New  York,  it  was  no  more  the  gay,  po 
lite  place,  it  used  to  be  esteemed,  but  was  become  almost  a 
desert  uidess  for  troops.  The  people  were  expecting  a  bom- 
bardment, and  had  therefore  removed  themselves  and  their 
effects  out  of  town  ;  and  the  other  side  the  troops  were  work- 
ing at  the  fortifications  with  the  utmost  activity. 

"  After  spending  some  disagreeable  days  at  this  place,  we 
proceeded  by  water  up  to  Albany,  about  1(50  miles.  At  our 
arrivid  there,  wo  were  met  by  Cieneral  Schuyler,  and  enter- 
tained by  him,  during  ■  .ir  stay,  with  great  jwliteness  and 
very  gentecly.  I  wrote  to  you  before,  of  our  agreeable  situa- 
tion at  Saratoga,  and  of  our  journey  from  thenco  over  Lake 
George  to  Ticonderoga :  from  this  latter  place  we  end)arked 
on  the  great  lake  of  Champlain,  about  140  miles  to  St.  John. 
We  had  a  passage  of  three  days  and  a  half.  We  always  came 
to  in  the  night  time.  Passengers  generally  encamp  in  the 
woods,  making  a  covering  of  the  f)ougli8  of  trees,  and  large 
fires  at  their  feet.  But  as  we  had  good  awning  to  our  boat, 
and  had  brought  with  lis  good  beds,  and  plenty  of  bed- 
clothes. T  chose  to  sleep  on  board."  ' 

At  Montreal  tlie  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll  called  upon  the  Hev. 
Peter  Rene  Floquet,  who  had  like  himself  Iwlonged  to  the 
Society  of  Jesus,  when  the  fiat  of  tlie  Sovereign  Pontiff  dis- 
solved that  illustrious  body.     But  the  Canadian  priest  wm 


'  Lfttor  May  1,  1776,  Brent,  "  Biogmphical  Skotcli  of  the  Most  Rev. 
John  Onrroll.  first  Archbisliop  of  Baltimore,"  Baltimore,  1848,  p.  40. 
"American  Archives,"  v.,  p.  1168. 


*  If) 


''il 

Mi 


1.1  < 


FEELTNO  IN  CANADA. 


ini 


Hcvcrely  censurefl  by  \m  hiHliop  for  \m  courtony  o/i  tliiw  oc- 
ciiHion  and  for  udiiiittiiig  t<.  their  Eimtur  oommiiiiion  Caniidi- 
luiri  Horviiiff  in  tlio  AmericMii  army.'  The  Maryhind  \mv»i 
waiting  oil  otliers  of  the  Ciiiiadiaii  ciorgy,  found  tiiut  it  wart 
too  hitc  to  diwc'U8H  the  (jiiention  of  union  with  tlie  revolted 
coionieH  or  even  neutrality.  Tiie  JiiHhop  of  Quebec  and  \m 
clergy  with  few  exeeptionH,  HatiHtied  witli  the  Quebec  Act, 
which  they  regarded  justly  m  only  the  honest  fulHInicnt  of  a 
so!<'inn  treaty,  were  diripowed  to  adhere  to  the  llngliHh  gov- 
criiuient,  ratlier  than  trust  to  the  vague  cxpresHions  of  tlio 
I  lilted  ColonicH,  wluwe  Htatiite-bookrt  still  bore  the  niost  bit- 
ter and  unchristian  enactments  against  all  adherents  and 
priests  of  the  ancient  Church:  which  liad  denounced  the 
(jiiehec  Act  with  the  coarsest  ribaldry,  and  whose  '  double- 
faced  (\)iigress,'  met  them  with  specious  and  plausil)le  jilirases 
while  it  denounced  them  to  the  people  of  Enghuid.' 
The  American  priest  found  himself,  when  coming  to  por- 


'  Lettt-re  of  Hl'v.  P.  U.  Floquel  to  Uishop  Hrinnd,  June  15,  1770  •  No- 
vember 29,  1776. 

•'  Extniit  of  a  Letter  from  ('aniulii,  dated  Montreal,  24tli  March,  177,'5: 
"The  Address  from  tiie  Continental  (;on>,'resH,  attracted  the  Notice  of 
some  of  the  principal  Canadians,  it  was  soon  translated  into  very  toler- 
alile  French  ;  the  decent  Manner  in  which  Hie  Itelif,'ious  Matters  wtre 
loueii'd  ;  the  Encomiums  on  the  French  Nation,  Haltered  a  V  -.le  foud 
of  Compliments.  Tiiey  iK'ffped  tlie  Translator,  ns  he  had  succeeded  so 
well,  to  try  his  hand  on  that  Address  to  the  People  of  (inut  Britain  ;  he 
liad  equal  Success  in  this,  and  read  his  Performance  to  a  numerous  Audi- 
ence :  but  when  he  came  to  that  Part  which  treats  of  tiie  new  modelling 
of  the  Province  ;  draws  n  Picture  of  tlie  Catholic  Ueli^ion,  and  the  Cana- 
dian Manners,  they  could  not  contain  their  Resentment,  nor  express  It 
l)ut  in  broken  Curses  Oh  !  the  p<Tfldiou8  doubh  l;,ced  Congress  ;  let  us 
bless  and  obey  our  benevolent  Prince,  whose  llumanitvis  consistent, 
and  .  ^i.tuis  to  all  Keligions,  let  us  abhor  ali  who  would  seduce  us  from 
our  Loyalty,  by  Acts  that  would  dishonour  a  Jesuit,  and  whose  Ad- 
dresses like  their  Itosolves.  are  destructive  of  their  own  Object."  "  N. 
Y.  Gazette  &  Weekly  Mercury."  April  10,  1775,  No.  1326. 


\ 


.^fTin 


II 


ffin ; 


^*-5»W 


h. 


ir)2 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


tray  the  toleration  of  his  countrymen,  confronted  by  the  Rev. 
McKenna,  the  victim  of  their  bigotry,  by  the  address  which 
Jay  had  penned,  and  by  the  hostility  some  of  the  Continental 
officers  and  soldiers  had  shown  to  the  Canadian  clergy.  The 
favorable  feeling  which  had  prevailed  at  first,  was  rapidly 
disappearing,  and  the  majority  listened  to  the  voice  of  the 
Bishop  of  Quebec,  who  counselled  fidelity  to  the  sovereign  to 
whom  they  had  sworn  allegiance.' 

After  various  ineffectual  attempts  to  produce  a  favorable 
impression  on  behalf  of  the  colonies,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll 
resolved  to  return  with  Mr.  Franklin,  whose  health  com- 
pelled him  to  leave  the  matter  in  tlie  hands  of  the  other 
Commissioners.  On  the  12th  of  May,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll 
proceeded  to  join  Mr.  Franklin  at  St.  John's,  where  they 
embarked,  and  with  some  difficulty  reached  Albany.  They 
left  that  city  in  a  private  carriage  furnished  by  General 
Schuyler,  and  were  in  New  York  by  the  27th,  and  in  Phila- 
delphia early  in  June.     The  attention  paid  by  the  Catholic 


'  "  The  Governor  finding  all  his  eflforta  inelTectual  in  raising  the  militia, 
applied  to  the  Catholic  bishop  for  his  spiritual  aid  and  influence,  who 
sent  a  mandate  to  the  subordinate  clergy  of  the  several  parishes,  to  be 
read  by  them  after  divine  service  to  their  parishioners,  exhorting  them  to 
take  up  arms  in  defence  of  their  country  :  no  persuasion  could,  however, 
induce  them  to  stiind  forth  in  the  hour  of  danger."  VV.  Smith,  "  History 
of  Canada,"  Quelle,  1815,  ii.,  p.  76.  "  .Vtfempts  had  been  made  to  en- 
list Irish  Roman  Catholicks.  Ministry  knew  tho,"?  attempts  had  l)een  un- 
successful. The  Canadians  had  been  excited  to  take  a  part  in  the  (luarrel : 
they  had  wisely  declined  to  interfere  in  the  business."  Duke  of  Richinond 
in  the  House  of  Lords.  "  American  Archives,"  vi.,  p.  138.  The  bigotry 
of  a  few  deprived  the  American  cause  of  all  this  advantage  in  Canada. 
Some  writers  have  taken  English  Iwasta  of  the  regiments  of  Irish  Catho 
lies  whom  they  were  going  to  raise  (see  "Annapolis  Gazette,"  May  25, 
1775,  October  26, 1775,  November  1«,  1775,  July  31, 1777  ;  "  Pennsylvania 
Journal,"  January  3,  1776,)  as  proof  that  such  regiments  were  actually 
raised :  when  in  fact  it  was  the  utt^'r  failure  to  recruit  in  Ireland,  tx> 
which  the  Duke  of  Richmond  alluded,  that  forced  England  to  go  to  Ger- 
man princes  to  hire  troop; . 


If; 

't 


CATHOLICS  IN  THE  SERVICE. 


158 


])rie8t  to  the  aged  patriot,  produced  an  influence  which  never 
faded  from  Franklin's  mind.' 

The  Eev.  Mr.  Carroll  resumed  his  missionary  duties  at 
Rock  Creek,  visiting  the  dependent  stations,  devoting  his 
leisure  to  study,  unless  drawn  from  it  by  calls  of  those  who 
more  than  ever  sought  the  society  of  the  now  honored  and 
accomplished  priest. 

From  the  commencement  of  the  struggle  the  Catholics  in 
the  country  had  been  in  sympathy  with  the  patriots  ;  many 
entered  the  army  or  enrolled  themselves  in  the  militia,  which 
no  longer  refused  admission  to  the  sons  of  Mother  Church. 
Pennsylvania  sent  Colonel  Moylan  and  Captain  Barry  of  the 
Navy,  Colonel  Doyle,  and  Captain  Michael  McGuire.  Mary- 
land contributed  Neales,  Boarmans,  Brents,  Semmes,  Mat- 
ti'iglys,  Brookes,  and  Kiltys.  The  rank  and  file  contained 
TUinibers  of  Catholics.' 

Archbishop  Carroll  wrote  boldly  to  a  maligner  of  Catholics 
in  his  day  :  "  Their  blood  flowed  as  freely  (in  proportion  to 
their  numbers)  to  cement  the  fabric  of  independence,  as  that 
of  any  of  their  fellow-citizens.  They  concurred  with  per- 
haps greater  unanimity  than  any  other  body  of  men  in  ree- 
om  mending  and  promoting  that  government  from  whose 
influence  America  anticipates  all  the  blessings  of  justice, 
peace,  plenty,  good  order,  and  civil  and  religious  liberty."  ' 
At  another  time,  referring  to  New  Jersey's  unjust  exclusion 
of  Catholics  from  ofHce  by  her  Constitntion  passed  during 


'Works  of  Fmnklin,  i.,  p.  404;  viii.,  pp.  182-3.  "American  Ar- 
rhivos,"  vi.,  pp.  610,  1027-8.  "Journal  of  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton"' 
Baltimore,  1845,  p.  75. 

•'  McSherry,  "  History  of  Maryland,"  Baltimore,  1849,  pp.  379,  etc. 

'  To  the  Editor  of  the  "  Gazette  of  the  U.  States,"  .Tunc  10,  1789 ; 
Brent,  "  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Most  Rev.  John  Carroll  "  Baltimore 
1843,  p.  97. 

7* 


** 


164 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROIL. 


the  war,  he  wrote  :  "  At  that  very  time  the  Aiiiericau  army 
swarmed  with  Roman  Catholic  soldiei's,  and  the  world  would 
have  held  them  justified,  had  they  withdrawn  themselves 
from  the  defence  of  a  state  which  treated  them  with  so 
much  cruelty  and  injustice,  and  which  they  then  actually 
covered  frotn  the  depredations  of  the  British  army."  ' 

The  Catholic  Indians  in  Maine,  though  long  without  a 
resident  priest,  had  not  lost  the  faith.  Their  position  on  the 
frontier  made  it  important  for  the  Americans  to  win  them 
over,  and  througli  them  obtain  at  least  neutrality  from  the 
tribes  beyond  their  territory.  These  Indians  were  already 
favorably  disposed,  and  Washington  wrote  from  his  camj) 
before  Boston  in  1775  to  the  Indians  on  the  St,  John's. 
Delegates  came  headed  by  Ambrose  Var  to  confer  witii  the 
Council  of  Massachusetts  at  "Watertown.  In  their  language 
they  showed  their  religious  feeling :  "  We  are  thankful  to 
the  Almighty  to  see  the  Council,"  was  their  greeting.  They 
declared  their  intention  to  adhere  to  the  cause  of  the  colo- 
nists ;  but  they  added  :  "  We  want  a  Blackgown  or  French 
priest.  Jesus,  we  pray  to,  and  we  will  not  liear  any  '  prayer' 
that  comes  from  old  England."  That  this  was  an  earnest 
wish  on  their  part  was  evident  from  the  fact  that,  before  they 
left,  they  once  more  retpiested  the  Council  to  obtain  a  priest 
for  them.  The  General  Court  expressed  their  gratificatioji 
at  this  love  of  religion  and  declared  their  readiness  to  obtain  a 
priest  for  them,  though  they  did  not  know  where  to  find  one." 

P^ifty  years  had  wrought  its  changes  ;  and  the  same  body 
that  offered  a  reward  for  the  scalp  of  a  Jesuit  missionary  on 
the  Kennebec  and  finally  compassed  his  death,  was  now  anx- 
ious to  give  the  Indians  of  those  parts  a  Catholic  priest. 


'  Brent,  "  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Most  Rev.  John  Carroll,"  Balti 
more,  1843,  p.  143. 
''  "  American  Archives,"  vii.,  pp.  838,  848. 


UNDER  THE  NEW  CONSTITUTIONS. 


155 


Then  the  Penobscots  came  to  give  their  adhesion  to  the 
cause  of  independence,  headed  by  tlieir  chief  Orono,  whose 
iijiine  Maine  bears  proudly  to  this  day.  They,  too,  asked  a 
iniest,  and  decHned  a  minister  from  their  New  England 
friends.  Loyal  tliroughout  to  the  American  cause,  Orono 
and  his  people  would  not  compromise  their  faith.  "  We 
know  our  religion  and  love  it ;  we  know  nothing  of  you 
and  yours,"  he  replied  when  urged  to  attend  Protestant 
services.' 

Under  the  necessity  of  their  position  most  of  the  colonies, 
on  throwing  off  allegiance  to  Engknd  and  her  king,  adopted 
C'o!istitutio!is  for  their  future  government  as  States  of  the 
American  Union.  Some  of  these  show  that  the  principle  of 
religious  equality  had  been  heartily  adopted ;  others  tell  us 
tliat  tlie  old  bigotry,  so  zealously  taught  from  the  pulpi<-  of 
the  minister  and  the  desk  of  the  schoolmaster,  had  not  yet 
been  rejected  by  the  patriots  of  that  era. 

Although  the  principles  of  rel" .  <  freedom  and  equality 
had  made  progress  during  the  wu  :,  i,he  American  Eevolu- 
tion,  the  Constitutions  adopted  by  the  several  States  and  the 
laws  passed  to  regulate  the  new  governments  established, 
show  that  the  peo])]e  and  their  leaders  had  not  risen  to  the 
level  of  the  Catholic  Calvert. 

Ne'''  Hampshire  first  adopted  a  very  meagre  constitu- 
tion at  Exeter  in  1776,  in  which  no  illiberality  appears  ;  but 
in  that  of  1792,  in  spite  of  opposition,  the  sixth  article  pro- 
vided for  "  the  support  and  maintenance  of  the  public  Prot- 
estant teachers,"  and  section  14  enacted  that  members  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  "  shall  be  of  the  Protestant  relig- 
ion." The  Governor,  Counsellors,  and  Senators  were  also 
re(}nircd  to  be  Protestants  (sections  29,  42,  (51).     This  exclu- 


m 


Mn 


« 


i*l 


"  Americiin  Archives,"  vii,,  p.  1238. 


im 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


sion  of  Catholics  from  oflSce  has  been  maintaiaed  thfoiigh 
the  present  ceutury.' 

In  Massachusetts  (1779-80)  Congregationalism  was  virtu- 
ally maintained  as  an  established  church,  although  in  tenns 
the  Constitution  guaraniieed  equal  protection  to  every  deuoni- 
inatiou  of  Christians,  and  declared  that  "  no  subordination 
of  any  one  sect  or  denomination  to  another  shall  ever  be 
established  by  law,''  but  it  authorized  towias  to  lay  taxes 
"  for  the  institution  of  the  public  worship  of  God,  and  for 
the  support  and  maintenance  of  public  protestant  teachers 
of  piety,  religion  and  morality,  in  all  cases,  where  such  pro- 
vision shall  not  be  made  voluntarily  "  (Part  i.,  §§  1,  3).' 

In  the  New  York  Convention  (1777)  John  Jay  had  been 
the  persistent  enemy  of  religious  equality  and  even  of  tolera- 
tion. When  the  section  on  naturalization  came  up  he  pn)- 
posed  an  amendment  requiring  the  person  applying  to 
"abjure  and  renounce  all  allegiance  and  subjection  to  all 
and  every  foreign  king,  jirince,  potentate,  and  stato  in  all 
matters  ecclesiastical  and  civil."  Although  Morris  and  Liv- 
ingston earnestly  opposed  the  amendment,  it  was  carried, 
and  no  Catholics  could  be  naturahzed  ;  all  were  excluded, 
as  they  could  not  abjure  and  renounce  subjection  to  the 
Pope  in  ecclesiastical  matters.  When  the  section  on  tolera- 
tion came  up,  John  Jay  moved  an  amendment  giving  the 
Legislature  power  at  any  time  to  deny  toleration  to  any  sect 
or  denomination.  When  this  excited  debate,  he  withdrew  it 
and  offered  another,  "  Except  the  professors  of  the  religion 
of  the  Church  of  Rome,  who  ought  not  to  hold  any  lands  or 
be  admitted  to  a  participation  of  the  civil  rights  enjoyed  by 


'  "  A  Collection  of  the  Constitutions  of  the  Thirteen  Uoited  States  of 
North  America,"  Glasgow,  1783,  p.  11. 
'  lb.,  p.  41. 


1 1  s 


UNDER  THE  NEW  CONSTITUTIONS.  157 

the  members  of  this  State,  until  such  time  as  the  said  pro- 
fessors sliall  appear  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  this  State,  and 
tliore  most  solemnly  swear,  that  they  verily  believe  in  their 
consciences  that   no  pope,  priest  or  foreign   authority  on 
earth,  hath  powei  to  absolve  the  subjects  of  this  State  from 
tlieir  allegiance  to  the  same.     Aud  further,  that  they  re- 
noinice  and  believe  to  be  false  and  wicked  the  dangerous 
iiiul  damnable  doctrine  that  the  Pope,  or  any  other  earthly 
authority,  hath  power  to  absolve  men  from  their  sins,  de- 
scribed in  and  prohibited  by  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ ; 
and  particularly  that  no  pope,  priest  or  foreign  authority  on 
earth,  hath  power  to  absolve  them  from  the  obligation  of 
this  oath."     This  vile  and  slanderous  attack  on  the  Catholics 
was  rejected  by  a  vote  of  19  to  ]0.     Jay  then  introduced 
unotlier  amendment,  and  though  Morrift^nd  Livingston  again 
fought  the  battle  of  human  rights  and  equal  liberty,  Jay's 
last  amendment  wiis  virtually  carried.     As  passed,  the  Con- 
stitution (Art.  XXXVIII.)  shows  the  aninms  of  Mr.  Jay. 
"Aud  whereas  we  are  required,  by  the  benevolent  principles 
of  rational  liberty,  not  only  to  expel  civil  tyranny,  but  also 
to  guard  against  that  spiritual  oppression  and  intolerance, 
wherewith  the  bigotry  and  ambition  of  weak  and   wicked 
priests  and  princes  have  scourged  mankind  :  this  convention 
doth  further,  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the  good 
people  of  this  State,  ordain,  determine  and  declare,  that  the 
free  exercise  and  enjoyment  of  religious  profession  and  wor- 
ship, v/ithout  discrimination  or  preference,  shall  forever  here- 
after be  allowed  within  this  State,  to  all  mankind.     Provided 
that  the  liberty  of  conscience  hereby  granted,  shall  not  be  so 
construed,  as  to  excuse  acts  of  licentiousness,  or  justify  prac- 
tices inconsistent  with  the  peace  or  safety  of  this  State." 
The  next  article  excluded  mi.usters  and  priests  of  all  denom- 
inations from  holding  any  office  under  the  State.     But  the 


VHT    7t«IMfnifW 


I*' 

1 !;' 

108 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Legislature,  following  the  spirit  of  the  "  weak  and  wicked 
priests  and  princes  "  and  of  Mr.  Jay,  made  an  oath  of  otHce 
Kiieh  that  no  Catholic  could  t^ike  it,  and  prevented  Catholics 
from  abroad  from  becoming  naturalized  as  citizens  of  New 
York  State.' 

New  Jersey  also  in  her  Constitution,  adopted  at  Bur- 
lington July  2,  1776,  professed  liberty  of  conscience  in 
Article  XVIII.,  but  in  the  next  enacted  "  that  no  protestant 
inhabitant  of  this  colony  shall  be  denied  the  enjoyment  of 
any  civil  right,  merely  on  account  of  his  religious  principles ; 
but  that  all  persons,  professing  a  belief  in  the  faith  of  anv 
protestant  sect,  who  shall  demean  themselves  peaceably  under 
the  government,  as  hereby  established,  shall  be  capable  of 
being  elected  into  any  office  of  profit  or  trust,  or  being  a 
liiember  of  either  branch  of  the  legislature,  and  shall  fully 
and  freely  enjoy  every  privilege  and  imirmnity,  enjoyed  by 
others,  their  fellow-subjects." 

Catholics  were  thus  excluded  from  office. 

Pennsylvania  (1770)  in  her  Constitution  (Sect.  IV,),  clearly 
and  explicitly  declared  "  that  no  person,  who  acknowledges 
the  being  of  a  (Jod  and  a  future  state  of  rewards  and  punish- 
ments, shall,  on  account  of  his  religious  sentiments,  be  dis- 
qualified to  hold  any  office  or  place  of  trust  or  profit  under 
this  commonwealth."  It  required  belief  in  the  inspiration 
of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments." 

Delaware  (177fi)  required  an  oath  of  belief  in  God  the 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  and  in  the  inspiration  of  the 


'  "  .Journal  of  the  Provincial  Convention  of  New  York,"  pp.  842-860. 
Extracts  contributed  by  me  in  Bayley,  "A  Brief  Skctcli  of  tlie  Kiirly 
History  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  Island  of  New  York."  Constit'i- 
tion  of  the  State  of  New  Y'ork,  1777.  Carey,  "American  Museum,"  ix. 
(19;. 

«  "A  Collection,"  etc.,  p.  104. 


UNDER  THE  NEW  CONSTITUTIONS. 


U)9 


Scriptures  (Art.  XXII.) ;  and  forbade  the  establishineut  of 
any  one  religious  sect  in  preference  to  anc-ther,  and  excluded 
clergynien  and  preachers  of  the  Gospel,  from  all  civil  otKce^, 
while  they  continued  in  the  exercise  of  the  pastoral  function 
(Art.  XXIX.). 

The  Maryland  Constitution  (1776)  provided  that  "  Every 
gift,  sale,  or  devise  of  lands  to  any  minister  or  sect,  except 
tor  the  erection  of  a  church  or  use  as  a  burial-ground,"  should 
1)0  void.  All  officers  were  required  to  subscribe  a  declaraticjn 
of  belief  in  the  Christian  religion. 

Virginia  (1776)  declared  all  men  entitled  to  the  free  exer- 
cise of  religion,'  and  ten  years  after  placed  a  distinctive  act 
on  her  statute-book.  After  a  long  preamble,  in  which  all  in- 
terference by  the  State  with  the  religion  of  the  people  is  con- 
demned, the  State  of  Virginia  in  the  year  1786  enacted : 

"  Be  it  therefore  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly,  that 
no  man  shall  be  compelled  to  support  any  religious  worshij), 
place,  or  ministry  whatsoever ;  nor  shall  be  forced,  restrained, 
molested,  or  burthcned  in  his  body  or  goods,  nor  shall  other- 
wise suffer  on  account  of  his  religious  opinions  or  belief. 
But  that  all  men  be  free  to  profess,  and  by  argument  to 
maintain,  their  opinion  in  matters  of  religion :  and  that  the 
same  shall  in  nowise  diminish,  enlarge,  or  affect  their  civil 
capacities. 

"  And  though  we  well  know  that  this  Assembly,  elected 
l»y  the  people  for  the  ordinary  purposes  of  legislation  only, 
have  no  power  to  restrain  the  act  of  succeeding  assemblies, 
constituted  with  powers  equal  to  our  own ;  and  that  there- 
fore to  declare  this  act  irrevocable,  would  be  of  no  effect  in 
law;  yet  we  are  free  to  declare,  and  do  declare  that  the 
rights  hereby  asserted,  are  natural  rights  of  mankind ;  and 


Ordinances 


of  Virginia.     Williamsburg :  1776,  p.  5, 


'ti 

'J 

,,( 

i 

160  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

tliat  if  iiny  act  Hhall  be  hereafter  passed  to  repeal  the  present, 
or  to  narrow  its  opemtion,  such  an  act  will  be  an  infringe- 
ment of  natural  rights." ' 

But  the  Constitution  of  North  Carolina,  1770  (Sect. 
XXXII.),  read:  "No  person  who  shall  deny  the  truth  of 
the  protestant  religion,  shall  be  capable  of  holding  any  office 
or  place  of  trust  or  proiit  in  the  civil  department  within  thin 
State."  Yet  it  declared  :  "  All  men  have  a  natural  and  un- 
alienable right  to  worship  Almighty  God,  according  to  the 
dictates  of  their  own  consciences."  ' 

And  South  Carolina  (1778)  in  the  twelfth  and  thirteentli 
articles  of  her  Constitution,  declared  that  "  No  person  shall 
be  eligible  to  a  seat  in  the  senate,"  or  "to  sit  in  the  Ik  ise  of 
represtnitatives,"  "unless  he  be  of  the  protestant  religion." 
And  it  had  this  clear  and  distinct  article :  "  The  Christiiin 
Protestant  shall  be  deemed  and  is  hereby  constituted  and  de- 
clared to  be  the  religion  of  this  State.  That  all  denominations 
of  Christian  Protestants  in  this  State,  demeaning  themselves 
peaceably  and  faithfully,  shall  enjoy  equal  civil  and  religious 
privileges."  It  was  also  provided,  that  no  church  should  be 
incorporated,  unless  it  subscribed  five  articles,  including  justi- 
fication by  faith  oidy,  and  the  Scriptures  as  the  sole  rule  of 

faith.' 

Tlic  Protestant  Church  was  thus  established  by  law. 

It  was  virtually  only  in  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Mnry- 
land,  and  Virginia  that  penal  laws  against  Catholics  were  ab- 
solutely swept  away,  and  the  professors  of  the  true  faith  ad- 
mitted to  all  rights  of  citizenship,  though  Connecticut  and 
Georgia  placed  no  apjiarent  restriction. 


1  "Annual  Register."  London,  1786,  pp.  68-4.     "  Anierican  Museum." 
1789,  ii.,  p.  501. 
«  "  A  Collection,"  etc.,  p.  127.  176,  814.         '  lb.,  pp.  185.  193-4. 


I»»  '»': 


HEV.   MR.  MOSLEY'S  CASE. 


161 


Rhode  iHlatul  indeed  repealed  the  clause  denying  toleration 
to  Catholics,  and  Connecticut  had  no  express  enactment,  but 
prior  law  established  Congregationalism. 

Though  the  Constitutions  might  in  general  terms  proclaim 
the  doctrine  of  religious  ecpialitj  in  the  eye  of  the  law,  yet 
statutes  were  passed  that  in  many  cases  left  very  little  liberty. 

Wo  can  thus  see  that  Dr.  Carroll  was  just  in  condemning 
the  rehjctance  shown  in  many  parts  of  the  country  to  lay 
aside  old  prejudices  and  admit  to  equal  rights  the  Catholics 
wiio  had  so  promptly  and  unanimously  supported  the  na- 
tional cause. 

During  the  war  the  Catholic  clergy  coiitinued  their  labors, 
and  so  far  as  researches  go,  only  one  was  at  all  molested. 
His  case  did  not  arise  from  disloyalty,  but  from  a  scruple  of 
conscience. 

Rev.  ^Ir.  Mosley  was  still  laboring  ze<dously  on  the  Eastern 
Shore,  cut  oil  from  his  fellow-priests.  His  Easter  commun- 
ions numbered  about  tifty,  while  the  confessions  of  those  too 
young  to  make  their  first  communion,  carried  his  number  of 
parishioners  approaching  the  sacraments  to  more  than  three 
hiiiidred.  His  list  of  converts  shows  his  zeal,  for  at  his  death 
they  mnnbered  185,  not  a  few  probably  received  into  the 
Church  in  their  last  n)oments. 

The  good  priest  apparently  took  no  part  in  the  political 
excitement  raging  around  him,  but  was  not  molested.  Yet 
when  the  new  Maryland  Legislature  on  the  1st  of  March, 
1778,  prohibited  any  minister  of  religion  to  preach  unless  he 
took  a  prescribed  oath,  the  good  priest's  conscience  was 
troubled.  He  could  not  consult  other  priests  to  learn  how 
they  regarded  it.  "  I  must  confess,"  he  says,  "  that  I  thought 
that  taking  such  an  oath,  was  taking  an  active  part  in  changes 
of  government,  which  I  conceived  was  acting  out  of  charac- 
ter, and  beyond  the  business  of  a  clergyman.     I  conceived 


'•a 


r      If 


r  ^-i 


102 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


that  swearing  to  defend  to  the  utmost  of  my  power,  and  tak- 
ing up  arms  was  much  the  same  thing.  It  is  true  a  clergy, 
man  may  advise  and  approve  of  a  just  war,  but  the  greatest 
Justice  of  it,  will  not  entitle  him  to  take  up  arms."  I'nder 
this  scruple  he  did  not  take  the  oath,  but  he  says :  "  Every 
Iloman  Catholic  took  it  in  due  time,  under  niv  tiirection. 
not  one  excepted,  which  I  think  you  will  judge,  that  it 
must  speak  .t  kind  word,  and  be  powerful  in  my  favour, 
with  them  that  may  any  way  be  disposed  to  censure  me." 
When  he  ascertained  that  his  fellow-priests  had  taken  the 
oath,  he  presented  himself  before  an  adjourned  court  in 
Talbot  County,  to  take  the  oath.  It  was  objected,  however, 
that  the  prescribed  time  had  passed,  and  he  therefore  sent  a 
petition  to  the  Assembly.  A  special  act  at  last  enabled  hin, 
to  preach.  In  those  days  a  sermon  at  a  futieral  was  held 
indispensable,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Mosley  notes  in  his  diary,  "  No 
sermon,  not  having  qualified  by  an  oath  to  be  taken  by  Law, 
jjy  all  that  would  preach."  '  Tlie  Legislature  passed  an  act 
to  meet  his  case,  and  on  the  12th  of  September,  1780,  he 
notes :  "  Burial  at  Mr.  William  Young's,  Queen  Ann's  Co. 
Sermon,  having  qualified  by  a  jmvate  act  for  myself."' 

From  Goshenhoppen  Father  do  Ritter  continued  his  visits 
to  the  usual  stations,  attending  the  church  in  Reading  and 
opening  a  mission  in  Allentown,  where  the  house  of  Francis 
Cooper  seems  to  have  been  the  first  meeting-place  of  Cath- 
olics. Easton,  too,  was  visited  from  Augtist,  1709,  Nicholas 
Hucki  being  the  host  of  the  missionary.     His  zeal  was  re- 


'  The  law  of  December  8,  1777,  Sec.  10,  imposed  a  treble  tax  on  non- 
jurors;  and  Sec.  17  prohibited  nonjurors  from  "  preaching  or  teaching 
the  gospel." 

'  Acts  Deoemlier  3,  1777,  and  June,  1780.  Diary  of  Father  Mosley. 
"  Mr.  Mosley'H  Kca-sons  for  not  talking  the  oath  of  fidelity  to  the  State." 
Woodstock  Letters,  vol.  xv.,  pp.  137-143. 


i; 


THE  PENNSYLVANIA  PRIESTS. 


163 


warded  by  conversions,  and  he  notes  that  (M  the  26th  of 
December,  1775,  he  received  tlie  profesHion  of  faith  of  Fred- 
eric Uhuer,  a  Lutlieran.  The  convert's  wife  was  a  Catholic, 
and  had  tauglit  her  little  eight-year-old  daughter  her  prayers 
and  fidelity  to  her  religion.  The  stepfather  endeavored  to 
drag  the  child  to  the  Lutheran  meeting,  but  she  stoutly  re- 
sisted, and  though  he  endeavored  to  teach  her  Lutheran 
prayers,  he  suddenly  yielded  to  God's  grace  and  came  to 
seek  instruction  for  himself  and  baptism  for  the  child,  who 
had  been  only  privately  baptized.  The  little  Catharine, 
when  Father  Hitter  examined  her  in  her  catechism,  ai 
swered  him  so  promptly  and  correctly,  and  with  such  evident 


'Xtil/ty' 


lii^ 


FAC-8IHILB  OP  8I0NATUBE  OF  FATHEIl  DE  BrTTEB. 


attachment  to  the  faith,  that  the  missionary  recorded  the  cir- 
cumstance in  his  Register. 

The  converts  were  Lutherans,  Calvinists,  Pietists,  and  peo- 
ple of  no  religion,  and  .ve  have  lists  of  those  received  into 
tlie  Church  by  bim  some  years  later,  showing  his  zeal  and 
devotedness.  The  baptisms  in  the  various  missions  attended 
by  him  increased  from  42  in  1766  to  69  in  1781,  by  a  grad- 
ual augmentation.' 

Father  Farmer,  from  his  church  in  Philadelphia,  extended 
his  apostolical  excursions  far  and  wide.  In  1763  his  labors 
were  chiefly  in  the  city  and  New  Jersey,  then  in  Chester 
County,  and  the  next  year  as  far  as  Goshenhwppen  and  Hay- 


'  "Liber  Baptizatoram,"  etc.,  Goshenhoppen.    The  first  entry  of  a 
baptism  at  Allentown  is  March  25,  1774. 


lii- 

m 


^^L' 


k 

'  "sffi 

> 

i^li 

1    1 

( 

164 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


cock.  His  rnisHioim  in  1765  were  ndvanced  in  New  JorHcy 
from  PikcHlund  and  (ioiger's  in  Suleni  County  to  BuHkin>? 
Uidge  in  SoinerHct  County,  and  to  Tliti^ood,  in  the  niiiiiiig 
tliHtrict  of  I'ii>waic  County,  near  the  Now  York  line.  Tin's 
hiHt.  with  otiier  piactvs  in  the  vicinity,  Charlottenburj?  and 
Long  Pond,  now  Greenwood  Lake,  were  evidently  homes  of 
(terman  CatholicK.  brought  over  to  work  the  iron  mines  and 
furnaces  established  there.  This  little  body  of  Cathoiies 
finally  gathered  around  the  church  when  it  was  ere<'tod  at 
Macopin.  The  groat  mass  of  other  Catholics  was  in  Salem 
County,  but  the  Rev.  Mr.  Farmer  visited  Burlington,  (ilouceH- 
ter,  Hunterdon,  Morris,  and  Sussex  Counties,  in  his  zeal  to 
minister  to  the  widely-scattered  Catholics.  We  obtain  some 
idea  of  the  places  he  visited  from  his  registered  baptisms, 
nund)ering  110  in  17r)5.  120  in  1767,  110  in  1768,  102  in 
1771,  133  in  tiie  following  year.  Even  after  the  war  of  the 
Revolution  had  actually  begun  he  was  diligent  in  his  visits 
to  Northern  Jersey,  and  he  records  139  baptisms  in  1775. 
His  yearly  journey  to  this  mining  district  was  made  about 
the  month  of  October,  1775,  177(i,  and  1778;  but  in  the 
spring  of  1777  and  1770  and  the  summer  of  1780.' 

At  an  early  period  of  the  war,  the  stjitesmen  of  America 
saw  that  the  hope  of  ultimate  success  depended,  to  a  certain 
extent,  on  their  securing  recognition  from  some  of  the  great 
European  powers,  and  if  possible  forming  an  actual  alliance. 
The  colonies  which  a  quarter  of  a  century  before  had  given 
their  sons  and  their  means  to  wrest  Canada  from  France,  now 
turned  to  that  country  for  aid  to  deprive  England  of  her 
transatlantic  possessions,  as  French  stiitesmen  had  foreseen. 

The  struggle  had  already  excited  attention  in  Europe,  and 

'  Father  Farmer's  Register,  preserved  at  St.  Joseph's  Church,  Pliila- 
delphia. 


>-% 


A  FRENCH  MINISTER  ARRIVES. 


160 


(.'atholic  anny  oflScers  like  rjifayctte,  KuHuiunko,  du  Portail, 
Oiiruit,  Mottin  do  la  Haline,  PulaHki,  Troiirton  du  Coudray, 
navy  officerH  like  l)ourvillo  and  Pierro  lamdaiH,'  wore  already 
in  America  aiding  by  their  nkill  and  experience  the  brave 
but  untr^iined  levies  of  the  ( 'ontinotital  CongreHH." 

On  the  (Ith  of  February,  1778,  the  King  of  France  made 
a  treaty  of  amity  and  commerce  with  the  now  republic, 
"The  United  States,"  which  were  thus  forniallv  recognized 
as  an  independent  nation.  A  defennivo  treaty  of  alliance 
was  also  sig'ied,  and  a  great  Catholic  power  can  o  forward  to 
extend  to  America  iier  sympathy  and  aid. 

p]arly  in  May  a  French  fleet  Baile<I  from  Toulon,  bearing 
to  our  shores  Conrad  Alexander  Gerard,  as  the  lirst  ami  "  ■■■* 
dor  from  the  old  continent  to  the  republic.  Tie  arj*  1  in 
August,  and  with  him  began  the  diplomatic  body,  rt  jr;  ■^i-nt- 
ing  foreign  powers  near  the  United  States.  The  i.<c  -i  vea. 
Spain  declared  war  agaitist  England,  and  she  too  sent  i.  -^i- 
resentative  to  the  American  Congress  in  the  person  of  Sefior 
Miralles.  Thus  the  first  diplomatic  circle  at  the  American 
seat  of  govennnent  was  Catholic,  and  openly  so,  for  these 
envoys  celebrated  great  events  either  in  their  own  countries 
or  in  the  United  States,  by  the  solemn  services  of  the  Cath- 
olic Church,  to  which  we  find  them  inviting  the  memiiers 


'k 


'  llilliard  d'Auberteuil,  "Essais  Illstoriques  ct  Politiques  de  In  Revo- 
lution de  rAmerique  Beptentrionale,"  p.  300,  etc.;  "N.  V.  Revolution- 
ary Papers,"  !.,  pp.  448,  450.— Du  Coudray  was  appointed  to  a  post 
with  the  rank  of  major-general,  August  11,  177H,  but  joined  the  army  as 
a  capt^un,  and  was  drowned  in  the  Schuylkill  in  September.  Ilis  funeral 
obsequies  took  place  at  St.  Joseph's  Church,  Philadelphia,  and  on  that 
occasion  the  Continental  Conijri'ss  for  the  first  time  attended  a  Catholic 
church.  Mottin  tie  la  Balme  after  serving  in  the  cavalry  Woo  killed  in  a 
well-planned  and  rapidly  executed  plan  to  capture  Detroit. 

»  SouWs,  "  Hisloire  <',«  Troubles,"  Paris,  1787,  iii.,  p.  28. 


"  'if 

J 

1  « 

HHI 

I  r  jB 

lUil^^^l 

'    m 

^^^^^1 

■^■r:'\^^ 

IL^ 

ii^^ 

iii 

Mr 


iiw^-* 


i.i  ' 


166 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


of  the  Continental  Congress  and  the  high  officers  of  the 
Republic. 

French  fleets  were  soon  in  American  waters,  and  ere  long  a 
French  army  was  welcomed  on  American  soil.  The  Catholic 
priests  hitherto  seen  in  the  colonies  had  been  barely  tolerated 
in  the  limited  districts  where  they  labored  ;  now  came  Cath- 
olic chaplains  of  foreign  embassies ;  army  and  navy  chaplains 
celebrating  mass  with  pomp  on  the  men-of-war  and  in  the 
camps  and  cities.  The  time  had  not  yet  come  for  complete 
religious  freedom,  which  gained  slowly ;  but  progress  was 
soon  made.  Rhode  Island,  with  a  French  fleet  in  her  water, 
blotted  from  her  statute-book  a  law  against  Catholics. 

The  French  chaplains  in  both  arms  of  the  service  came 
in  contact  with  Catholics  in  all  parts,  and  the  masses  said  in 
the  French  lines  were  attended  by  many  who  had  not  for 
years  had  an  opportunity  of  attending  the  holy  sacrifice. 

We  have  no  details  of  the  services  of  these  priests,  and 
few  even  of  their  names.  The  Abbe  de  Glesnon,  hospital 
chaplain,  resided  at  the  Widow  Brayton's  house  in  Newport, 
and  during  the  stay  in  Providence  at  Benjamin  Allen's.' 
The  Abbe  Robin  arrived  at  Boston  in  1Y81,  and  was 
there  for  some  time.*  The  Rev.  Mr.  Lacy,  an  Irish  priest, 
was  also  an  hospital  chaplain,  and  traversed  the  country  from 
Boston  to  Virginia ; '  the  Carmelite  Father  Paul  de  St.  Pierre, 
who  was  afterward  on  the  mission  in  the  Mississippi  valley, 
is  also  said  to  have  been  a  chaplain  in  Rochambeau's  army. 

When  the  alliance  of  Congress  with  France  and  the  ap- 


'  Lists  furnished  by  H.  T.  Drowne  in  Stone,  "Our  French  Allies," 
Providence,  1884,  pp.  222,  323.     No  other  priest  is  naired  in  those  lists. 

'  Robin,  "  Nouveau  Voyage  dans  I'Amerique  Septentrionale,"  Philadel- 
phia, 1782. 

»  "  The  Journal  of  Claude  Blanchard,"  Albany,  1876,  pp.  165,  184. 


TORY  HOSTILITY. 


167 


proach  of  a  Frencli  fleet  became  known,  the  Tory  papers  en- 
deavored to  excite  the  old  anti-Catholic  prejudice  against  tlie 
American  cause.  One  writer  said :  "  You  were  told  that  it 
was  to  avoid  the  establishing  or  countenancing  of  Popery  ; 
and  that  Popery  was  estabhshed  in  Canada  (where  it  was  only 
tolerated).  And  is  not  Popery  now  as  much  established  by 
law  in  your  State  as  any  other  religion  ?  So  that  your  gov- 
ernor and  all  your  rulers  may  be  Papists,  and  you  may  have 
a  Mass-House  in  every  comer  of  your  country  (as  some 
places  already  experience.) "  ' 

Other  journals  gave  imaginary  items  of  news  such  as  they 
asserted  would  soon  be  common  in  the  papers.  This  will 
serve  as  a  sample  of  pretended  news  ten  years  ahead  of  time  : 

"Boston,  November  11,  1789. 
"The  Catholic  religion  is  not  only  outwardly  professed, 
l)iit  has  made  the  utmost  progress  among  all  ranks  of  people 
liere.  owing  in  a  great  measure  to  the  unwearied  labours  of 
the  Dominican  and  Franciscan  Friars  who  omit  no  oppor- 
tunity of  scattering  the  seeds  of  religion,  and  converting  the 
wives  and  daughters  of  heretics.  We  hear  that  the  buildin.f; 
formerly  called  the  Old  South  Meeting-House,  is  fitted  i:p 
for  a  Cathedral,  and  that  several  other  old  meeting-houses  are 
soon  to  be  repaired  for  convents."  ' 

Accounts  of  the  burning  of  Quakers  and  heretics  by  order 
of  the  Inquisition  were  also  given  in  the  same  vein.  In  a 
series  of  papers  addressed  "  To  the  People  of  North  Amer- 
ica," the  writer  dilated  on  the  encouragement  given  by 
Congress  and  its  leaders  to  that  faith.  "  In  very  many  dis- 
tricts of  the  Continent,  and  in  some  of  New  England,"  he 


'  Rivlngton's  "  Royal  Gazette,"  January  6,  1779. 
» lb.,  March  17,  1779. 


rii    '■■:  ^1? 


168 


LIFH:  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


proceeds,  "  where  popery  was  formerly  detested,  and  scarcely 
a  papist  was  to  be  seen,  numbers  of  popish  books  are  now 
dispersed,  and  read  with  avidity.  I  could  name  a  member 
of  the  rebel  Council  in  one  of  the  New  England  colonies, 
who  was  formerly  considered  as  a  zealous  Protestant  dis- 
senter, who  not  long  since  harangued  a  large  assembly  of 
people  on  some  of  the  disputed  points  between  Protestants 
and  Papists ;  such  as  the  invocation  of  saints,  purgatory, 
transubstantiation,  etc.  After  palliating  each  of  these,  strain- 
ing the  sense  to  ])ut  the  most  favorable  and  least  offensive 
construction  on  them,  and  softening  them  with  as  much  art 
as  the  most  subtle  disciple  of  Loyola  could  use,  he  finally  de- 
clared that  he  saw  nothing  amiss  or  erroneous  in  them  ;  and 
his  audience  seemed  to  be  wonderfully  pleased  and  edified. 
J  could  name  another  Protestant  dissenter,  whose  antipathy 
to  popery  seemed  formerly  to  border  on  enthusiasm  :  yet 
who  lately  declared  his  wish  to  see  a  popish  priest  settled  in 
every  county  throughout  America."  ' 

The  Tory  papers  held  up  to  ridicule  and  scorn  the  conduct 
of  the  Continental  and  State  ofliicials  in  approving  by  their 
presence  the  worshij)  and  rites  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 

Thus  one  announced  :  "  On  the  4th  of  November,  the 
clergy  and  selectmen  of  Boston  paraded  through  the  streets 
after  a  crucifix,  and  joined  in  a  procession  for  praying  a  de- 
parted soul  out  of  purgatory  ;  and  for  this  they  gave  the  ex- 
ample of  Congress  and  other  American  leaders  on  a  former 
occasion  at  Philadelphia,  some  of  whom  in  the  height  of 
their  zeal,  even  went  so  far  as  to  sprinkle  themselves  with 
what  they  call  holy  water."  * 

■  "  New  York  Gazotk«,"  .Inly  26.  1779. 

•  Rivington's  "  Royal  GiizctU',"  December  11,  1782. 


THE  ''ROMAN  CATHOLIC  VOLUNTEERS:'     169 

When  General  Benedict  Arnold,  lured  by  British  offers, 
sought  to  betray  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  the  important 
titrategic  post  which  he  commanded,  and  fled  to  their  lines, 
he  addressed  a  proclamation  to  the  oflicers  and  soldiers  of 
the  Continental  army,  in  which  he  holds  up  to  reprobation 
the  conduct  of  the  body  governing  the  republic.  "And 
v^hould  the  parent  nation  cease  her  exertions  to  deliver  you, 
what  security  remains  to  you,  even  for  the  enjoyment  of  the 
consolations  of  that  religion  for  which  your  fathers  braved 
the  ocean,  the  heathen  and  the  wilderness  'i  Do  you  know 
that  the  eye  which  guides  this  pen,  lately  saw  your  mean  and 
j)rofligate  Congress  at  Mass  for  the  soul  of  a  Koman  Catholic 
in  purgatory,  and  participating  in  the  rites  of  a  Church 
against  whose  anti-Christian  corruptions  your  pious  ancestors 
would  have  witnessed  with  their  blood."  ' 

The  English  government  hoped  about  this  time  to  draw 
some  of  the  Catholics  in  America  to  their  military  service, 
tlio  whole  tendency  among  them  being  for  the  side  of  Con- 
gress. It  was  accordingly  proposed  to  create  a  regiment  of 
Roman  Catholic  Volunteers.  As  no  Eoman  Catholic  could 
liold  a  commission  under  English  law,  the  oflScers  were,  of 
course,  Protestants.  They  were  Alfred  Clifton,  lieutenant- 
colonel  ;  John  Lynch,  major ;  Mathias  Hanley,  Nicholas  Wier- 
gan,  and  Thomas  Yelverton,  captains ;  John  Peter  Eck,  John 
I^oill,  and  Patrick  Kane,  lieutenants ;  John  Nowlan,  quar- 
termaster."    After  the  capture  of  Philadelphia  the  English 


:l 


if 


111 


'  Arnold's  Proclamation,  October  20,  1780,  in  Almon,  "  Remeni- 
lirnncar,"  1781,  p.  21. 

■'  Mills  and  Hicks,  "  British  and  American  Register,"  1779,  p.  97,  under 
tho  heading,  "  Late  Roman  Catliolick  Volunteers,"  showing  that  it  was 
no  longer  in  existence.  Clifton,  "an  English  gentleman  of  an  Irish 
mother,"  tlgures  in  the  Black  List  and  may  have  been  a  resident;  or 
held  property  in  Pennsylvania  like  Elliott :  but  none  of  the  others  appear. 

8 


170 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


!f  m 


hoped  to  make  the  project  successful  by  inducing  Kev.  Fer- 
dinard  Farmer  to  become  chaplain  of  this  regiment.  The 
German  priests  not  being  British  subjects,  or  able  to  become 
naturalized  under  colonial  law,  had  apparently  abstained  from 
any  interference  in  political  affairs,  but  Father  Farmer  would 
not  lend  the  influence  of  his  name  to  the  enemies  of  America.' 
The  Catholic  religion,  once  proscribed  through  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  land,  had  put  off  her  garment  of  sackcloth. 
Catholicity  was  recognized  by  the  Continental  Congress,  and 

'  F.  Ferdinand  Farmer  to  a  priest  in  London,  March  2,  1778 ;  Wood- 
stock Letters,  xiv.,  p.  196.    The  following  is  an  advertisement  relating 

to  this  Regiment : 

For  the  Encouragement  of  all 

Gentlemen  Volunteers, 
Who  are  willing  to  serve  in  his  Majesty's  Regt.  of 
Roman  Catholic  Volunteers, 
Commanded  by 
Lieut. -Col.  Commandant, 
Alfred  Clifton, 
During  the  present  wanton  and  unnatural  Rebellion, 
I  .D  No  Longer, 
The  sum  of  Four  Pounds, 
will  be  given  above  the  usual  Bounty, 
A  suit  of  New  Cloaths, 
And  every  other  necessary  to  complete  a  Gentleman  soldier. 
Those  who  are  willing  to  shew  their  attachment  to  their  King  and  coun- 
try by  engaging  in  the  above  regiment,  will  call  at  Captain  M'Kennon, 
at  No.  51,  in  Cherrj -street,  near  the  Ship  Yards,  or  at  Major  John 
Lynch,  encamped  ui  Yellow-Hook,  where  they  will  receive  present  pay 
and  good  quarters. 

N.  B. — Any  person  bringing  a  well-bodied  loyal  subject  to  either  of 
the  above  places,  shall  receive  One  Guinea  for  his  trouble. 
God  Save  the  Kreo. 
— "  N.  Y.  Gazette  and  Weekly  Mercury,"  .July  13,  1778,  No.  1894. 

Bancroft  says  positively  "In  Philadelphia  Howe  had  been  able  to 
form  a  regiment  of  Roman  Catholics,"  v.,  p.  295.  The  very  reverse  is 
true.  It  never  existed  except  on  paper.  The  recruiting  in  1778  failed, 
and  the  "  List "  for  1779,  printed  in  the  latter  part  of  1778,  calls  it  "  The 
late."    The  regimeni      •«  already  defunct. 


Vous  etes  prie  de  la  part 
du  Miniftre  Plenipotentiaire  de 
France,  d'affifter  au  Te  Deum, 
qu'il  fera  chanter  Dimanche  4  de 
ce  Mois,  a  midi  dans  la  Chapelle 
Catholique  neuve  pour  celebrer 
rAnniverlaire  de  I'lndependance 
des  Etats  Unis  de  TAmerique. 

A  TbtiaMphie,  U  2  ^uilktt  1 779. 


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CONGRESS  AT  ST.   MARY'S  CHURCH.         175 

by  the  Commander  in-Chief  of  the  American  army  :  It  was 
recognized  by  tlie  State  of  Pennsylvania,  the  Legislature  this 
year,  in  reorganizing  the  College  of  Philadelphia,  having 
constituted  as  one  of  the  Trustees,  "  the  Senior  Minister  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  churches  in  Philadelphia." 

As  the  anniversary  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
approached,  Mr.  Gerard  prepared  to  celebrate  it  by  a  relig- 
ious service  at  St.  Mary's  Church  in  Philadelphia,  and  issued 
an  invitation  in  this  form  : 

"  Mb. 

"  You  are  invited  by  the  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of 
France  to  attend  the  Te  Deum,  which  will  be  chanted  on 
Sunday,  the  4th  of  this  month,  at  noon,  in  the  new  Catholic 
Cliapel,  to  celebrate  the  Anniversary  of  the  Independence  of 
the  United  States  of  America. 

"  Philadelphia,  July  2,  1779. 

"  Philadelphia,  Press  of  Francis  Bailey,  Market  St." 

To  this  function  the  President  and  members  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  were  invited,  and  on  the  occasion  a  sermon 
was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Father  Seraphin  Bandol,  Recollect, 
diaplain  to  Mr.  Gerard.  As  it  was  probably  the  first  Cath- 
olic discourse  communicated  by  the  press  to  the  people  of 
the  Thirteen  United  States,  it  is  not  unworthy  of  being 
inserted.' 

"  Gknti-emen  : — "We  are  assembled  to  celebrate  the  anni- 
versary of  that  day  which  Providence  had  marked  in  his 
Eternal  Decrees,  to  become  the  epocha  of  liberty  and  inde- 
pendence to  thirteen  United  States  of  America.     That  Being, 


''Si 


'  Fiic-siiniles  of  the  Invitation  and  Address  are  given  from  originals  in 
llie  Ridgway  Library,  Pliiladclphia,  by  the  courtesy  of  the  Librarian ; 
my  uttentiou  Laving  been  called  to  them  by  my  friend,  C.  R.  Hildeburn 
Esq. 


1 1 1 


176 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


whose  Almighty  huiul  holds  all  exiHtenco  l)eneath  its  domin- 
ion, uiuioubtedly  prodiices  in  the  dei)th8  of  His  wisdom, 
those  groat  events  whicli  astonish  tliu  universe,  and  of  svhidi 
tlie  most  presumptuous,  though  hiRtrunientuI  in  accomplish- 
ing them,  dare  not  attribute  to  thfimselvos  the  merit.  But 
the  finger  of  God  is  still  move  ]iecuiiarly  evident  in  that 
hapi)y,  thiit  glorious  revohitioii.  which  calls  fortii  this  day's 
ffstivity.  lie  hath  struck  the  oppressors  of  a  people  free 
and  ))eaceaMe.  with  the  spirit  uf  delusion  which  renders  the 
wicked  artificers  of  their  own  proper  misfortunes,  Vun\u\ 
me,  my  dear  brethren,  (ritizens  of  the  United  States,  to  ad- 
dress you  on  this  occasion.  It  is  that  God,  that  all-powerful 
God  who  hath  dirocled  your  steps,  when  you  knew  not 
where  to  ai)ply  for  >  ounsel ;  who,  when  you  were  without 
arms,  fought  for  you  with  the  sword  of  Justicp  ;  who,  when 
you  were  in  advor.>ity,  poured  into  your  hearts  the  spirit  of 
courage,  of  wisdom  and  of  fortitude,  and  who  hath  at  lengtli 
raised  uj)  for  your  snppt)rt  a  youthful  sovereign,  whose  vir- 
tues bless  and  adorn  a  sensible,  a  faithful,  and  a  generous 
nation.  This  nation  has  l)lended  her  interests  with  your  in- 
terests, and  her  sentiments  with  yours.  She  participates  in 
all  your  joys,  and  this  day  unites  lier  voice  to  yours,  at  the 
foot  of  the  altars  of  the  Eternal  God,  to  celebrate  that  glori- 
ous revolution,  which  has  placeii  the  sons  of  America  amoiig 
the  free  and  independent  nations  of  the  earth. 

"  We  have  nothing  now  to  apprehend  but  the  anger  of 
Heaven,  or  that  the  measure  of  our  guilt  siionld  oxcfcd  Ilis 
mercy.  Let  us  then  prostrate  o'lr-selves  at  the  fe»  of  the 
immortal  God  who  holds  the  fat^  i>f  empires  in  h.  iiands 
and  raises  them  lip  at  His  pleasure,  or  breaks  them  down  to 
dust.  Let  us  conjure  him  to  enligb*  ii  our  enemies,  and  to 
dispose  their  hearts  to  enjoy  that  tranf]uilllty  and  ha])pines.s 
which  the  revolution  we  now  celebrate  has  established  fnr  a 


\k  A 


F.  BANDOVS  SERMON. 


177 


great  part  of  the  human  race.  Let  us  implore  him  to  con 
duct  U8  by  that  way  wliich  His  Providence  haa  marked  out 
fur  a  union  at  so  desirable  an  end.  Lot  us  offer  unto  him 
hearts  imbued  with  sentiments  of  respect,  consecrated  by 
reh'gion,  by  humanity,  and  by  patriotism.  Never  is  the 
august  ministry  of  His  altars  more  acceptable  to  His  Divint; 
Jlajesty  than  w!  n  it  lays  at  His  feet  homages,  offerings  and 
vows,  so  pure,  so  vvortliy  the  common  parent  of  mankind. 
God  will  not  reject  our  joy,  for  lie  is  the  author  of  it ;  nor 
will  He  reject  our  prayers,  for  they  ask  but  the  full  accom- 
j)Iishment  of  the  decrees  He  hath  manifested.  Filled  with 
this  spirit  let  us,  in  concert  with  each  other,  raise  our  hearts 
to  the  Eternal.  Let  us  implore  His  infinite  mercy  to  be 
pleased  to  inspire  the  rulers  of  both  nations  with  the  wisdom 
and  force  necessary  to  p^  rfect  what  it  hath  begun.  Let 
ill  a  word,  unite  our  voices  to  beseech  Him  to  dispense  liis 
l»lessings  upon  the  councils  and  the  arms  of  the  allies,  and 
that  we  may  soon  enjoy  the  sweets  of  a  peace  wliich  will 
cement  the  union,  and  establish  tlie  prosperity  of  the  two 
onipireo.  It  is  with  this  view  that  we  shall  cause  that  canti- 
c'e  to  be  performed  which  the  custom  of  the  Catholic  Church 
hath  consecrated  to  be  at  once  a  testimonial  of  public  joy,  a 
tlianksgivinij  for  benelits  receiv,  h ,  in  Heaven,  and  a  prayer 
fur  the  Coal    luaiice  of  its  n^'-Tcies."  ' 

Early  in  1780  Don  Jn        ^iralles.  the  Spanish  envoy,  pro- 
cec  k'd  to  the  Camp  of       ishing*^"      but      is  there  prostrated 


'  "  Discours  prononce  le  4  Jnillet,  jour  <le  lAnniversalre  de  I'lndepen- 
dence,  dan    'Eglisc  Cat'  >Hq»i  ,  park'  rend  Pere  Seraphin  Bandot, 

RccoUet,  A\  iionicr  de  sun  Excellence  Mi.  Gerard,  Ministre  Plenipoten- 
tiairp  dc  Fruiiceaupri'sdeH  Ffats  UnisderAmerique  Septentrionii'''.  .  .  ." 
Philadi'lphla,  folio,  1  leaf.  In  English,  in  "  Connecticut  and  I  n  rsal 
Intpllisoii  "r,"  New  London,  August  18,  1779;  Westcott,  "  llisli  of 
Philadelpi    i."  ch.  365. 

S* 


;l 


« . ... 


l1 


1 


178 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


by  a  piilinoiiiiry  ft'vt>r.  Ilin  Hecretary,  FranciH  Kciuloii,  who 
had  remaiiu'd  at  I'liihulolphiu,  loarning  of  this,  not  out  for 
the  cainp  witli  Fatlier  Scrupliin  Ikiidol.  After  receiving 
the  h>8t  sacnuiKJutH  with  great  piety  and  contrition  from  the 
liandH  of  the  liucollect  priest,  Sefior  MiralleH  expired  in 
the  afternoon  of  April  28,  17H0.  He  was  buried  the  next 
day  in  the  common  burying-ground  near  the  church  at  Mor- 
riwtown,  foihjwcd  to  the  grave  by  (J(  ral  Washington,  sev- 
eral of  the  geiHinil  officern  anil  members  of  Congress  walking 
as  chief  mourners,  four  artillery  officers  l)earing  the  coffin, 
and  six  acting  as  pall-l)earers.  The  French  cha(>lain  recited 
the  Catholic  burial  service  at  the  grave  and  blessed  it.' 

On  the  4th  of  May  a  M.lemu  requiem  was  oflFered  for  the 
repose  of  his  soul  at  St.  Joseph's  Church,  Philadelphia,  at- 
tended by  the  mcnd)er8  of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  l)y 
Mr.  de  la  Luzerne,  the  French  minister.  The  empty  cata- 
fahpie  was  to  the  curious  a  matter  of  great  surprise.' 

The  Count  d'Estaing,  after  anchoring  with  his  fleet  in  the 
harbor  of  Boston  in  1778,  published  an  address  to  the  Caiia- 
di  tns  in  the  name  of  the  King  (  i  Franco.  lie  told  them 
that  being  of  the  same  blood,  speaking  the  same  langu.ige, 
having  the  siime  customs,  the  same  laws,  the  same  religion, 
it  would  be  far  more  to  their  interest  to  shake  oflf  the  yoke 
of  the  English  than  to  fight  against  their  old  countrymen.' 
He  said  :  "  I  shall  not  observe  to  the  ministers  of  the  altars. 


'  Francisco  Rcndon  to  Don  Jose  de  Galvoz,  Philiidclphia,  May  8, 1780 ; 
Thaclier,  "  Military  .Journal  during  the  American  Revolutionary  War," 
Hartford.  1854,  pp.  162.  193. 

'  See  Rivlngton's  "Gazette,"  Monday,  May  22,  1780.  Moore,  "  Diarj- 
of  the  American  Revolution,"  New  York,  1860,  pp.  267-8. 

'  SoulJs,  "  Histoiro  des  Troubles,"  ill.,  p.  65.  The  "  Extralt  du  Jour- 
nal d'un  Offlcier  de  la  Marine  de  I'Escadre  de  M.  le  Comte  d'Estaing," 
1782,  p.  38,  makes  no  allusion  to  the  address. 


D'ESTAING'S  DECLAMATION. 


179 


tliiit  their  evHiigelic  efforts  will  re(iuire  tlio  Kpeciul  protec- 
tion of  Providence,  to  prevent  fuitli  being  (liininiHlicd  hy 
example,  by  worldly  interest,  and  by  Bovereifrns  whom 
force  has  imposed  upon  them,  and  whose  political  in- 
dulgence will  1.0  lessened  proportionubly  as  those  sover- 
I'igns  shall  have  less  to  fear.  I  shall  not  olist'rve  that  it 
is  necessiiry  for  religion,  that  those  who  preach  it  should 
form  a  body  in  the  State  ;  and  that  in  Canada  np  other  Iwly 
would  be  more  considered,  or  have  more  power  to  do  good 
tlian  that  of  the  j)rie8t8,  taking  a  part  to  the  govcniment, 
hiiice  their  respectable  conduct  has  merited  tlie  conlidence  of 
tiie  people."  ' 

The  effect  of  this  address  throughout  Canada  and  the 
iKtrthwest  territory  was  very  great.  Many  of  the  clergy  and 
people  were  tilled  with  hope  of  recovering  their  lost  nation- 
ality, so  that  the  English  authorities  were  tilled  with  alarm.' 
The  Indians,  too,  who  had  clung  to  their  old  attachment  to 
the  French,  were  no  less  affected.  Those  in  Maine  solicited 
a  priest.  Ilotkcr,  general  agent  of  the  French  navy  and 
consul  at  Boston,  when  sending  to  the  St.  John's  Indians, 
then  near  Machias,  the  Declaration  of  Count  d'Estaing, 
wrote:  "  Brethren— Believe  me  that  I  am  penetrated  with 
the  keenest  grief,  at  my  inability  to  send  you  a  priest. 
I^.iru  for  your  consolaticn  that  I  have  written  to  the  King 
t'>  ask  him  for  one,  as  well  as  to  Mr.  Gerard,  Minister 
rieitipotentiary  to  Congress.  I  have  no  doubt  the  King  will 
send  you  one :  he  loves  you  too  much  to  refuse  you.    In  the 


•  D'EHUiing,  "A  Decliiration  addrossed  in  the  name  of  tlie  Kinjr  of 
France  to  all  the  ancient  French  of  Nortli  America."  Printing  offlct  of 
F.  F.  Dcmauge,  On  board  of  tlie  Languedoo,  Boston  Harbor,  Octolxr 
as,  J 778;  Annual  R.gister,  1779,  p.  357;  Ne^v  York  Colonial  Docu- 
ment, X.,  pp.  1165-7. 

»  Brymner,  "  Report  on  Canadian  Archives." 


180 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  C "  RROLL. 


i!  ' 


meantime  love  Jesus  Christ  with  all  your  souls  and  remain  at 
peace." ' 

In  the  operations  between  the  English  and  French  naval 
forces  a  vessel  belonging  to  the  latter  was  captured  and  car- 
ried into  New  York.  The  officers  were  paroled,  and  among 
them  was  the  chaplain,  Rev.  H.  De  La  Motte,  an  Augustin- 
ian.  The  Catholics  in  the  city,  hearing  that  a  priest  was 
actually  on  Manhattan  Island,  asked  him  to  say  J.iass  for 
them.  Not  wishing  to  give  umbrage  to  the  British  author- 
ities, Father  De  La  Motte  solicited  permission  to  comply  with 
the  pious  wishes  of  these  people.  His  retjuest  was  refused, 
but  understanding  English  imperfectly  the  priest  supposed 
that  the  necessary  sanction  had  been  given.     A  place  was 


'./.au. 


T^' 


<CL/^.y 


FAC-8IMILE  OP  8I0NATCHE  OF  REV.    H.    DE  LA  MOTTE.* 

found,  and  he  said  mass  l)efore  the  few  Catholics  then  in 
New  York.  The  British  commander  at  once  arrested  Father 
De  La  Motte  for  violating  his  parole,  and  confined  him  in 
prison,  not  improbal)ly  the  old  Sugar  House  in  Crown  Street, 
near  the  Middle  Dutch  Church,  and  here  he  was  detained 
till  an  exchange  was  effected.  The  paper  published  in  New 
York  in  the  English  interest  subse(juently  referred  api)rov- 


'  Letter  to  Ambrose  St.  Aiibinc,  Noel  Pres,  Nicholas  Hawawna,  and 
others,  Boston,  November  17,  1778. 

'  The  signature  reads :  Friar  II.  De  La  Motte,  Religious  Augustiniau 
priest,  chaplain  on  the  King's  men-of-war. 


iii  i 


Hi 


FATHER  DE  LA  MOTTE. 


181 


iugly  to  this  action  as  evincing  the  zeal  of  the  authorities  for 
the  Protestant  religion.' 

Father  De  La  Motte  must  have  l^yen  released  early  in  1779, 
and  set  out  for  Boston,  passing  through  Gen.  Sullivan's  camp. 
He  was  entertained  at  Providence  by  Mr.  Laurence.  On 
reaching  Boston,  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  agreed  to  send 
hiiri  as  a  missionary  to  Machias,  "  where,"  wrote  Gen.  Gates, 
'■  he  may  be  useful  in  bringing  the  Nova  Scotia  Indians  to 
our  interest." ' 

Father  De  La  Motte  reached  Maine  in  May,  and  on  the 
IDth  sent  the  following  letter  to  the  Indians  living  near  Pas- 
sun  laquoddy  : 

•^  My  Children  : 

Knowing  that  for  a  very  long  time  you  sigh  and  beg 
'vith  the  greatest  ardor  for  a  priest  to  instruct  you  for  your 
Eternal  salvation  and  bring  you  back  to  the  way  of  the 
Lord  :  I  cannot,  my  children,  but  applaud  such  pious  senti- 
ments, and  such  Christian  and  holy  views  to  obtain  the  bless- 
ing of  the  Almighty  on  all  your  enterprises.  The  King  of 
France  our  common  father,  always  occupied  with  your  own 
liappiness,  and  to  convince  you,  and  to  give  you  an  authentic 
innrk  of  the  sincere  friendship  which  he  has  always  enter- 
tained for  you",  and  which  he  will  continue  to  cherish,  if  you 
lire  willing  to  merit  its  continuance,  sends  me  t(>  you,  my 
children,  in  concert  with  the  United  States  of  America  our 
dear  allies  and  good  friends,  to  remind  you  of  your  duties, 
your  obligations,  and  your  engagement  to  so  good  a  prince, 
in  order  to  defeat  soon  and  completely  our  common  enemy 


'  I'apinian  in  "  To  the  People  of  North  America,  No.  9";  RivinTton's 
"  Hoyiil  Gazette,"  July  17,  1779. 

»  General  Horatio  Gates  to  Major-Gen.  Sullivan,  Boston,  February  22 
1779.  ^      ' 


n 


Wii 


182 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


;i 


m 


and  then  enjoy  in  full  peace,  the  heritage  of  your  fathers. 
Oui-  common  Father  will  neglect  nothing  to  fulfil  your  de- 
sire and  happiness  utterly.  Your  appeal  which  reached  the 
foot  of  his  throne,  has  excited  the  tender  sensibility  of  his 
heart  in  your  behalf;  may  you,  my  children,  correspond 
to  it! 

I  hope,  my  children,  soon  to  enjoy  the  happiness  of  see- 
ing you  all  together  at  Machias.  I  look  forward  to  the  mo- 
ment with  the  greatest  impatience.  I  will  speak  to  you  more 
at  length  at  our  first  interview.  I  arrived  here  ytsterday  at 
2  P.M.  I  write  you  to-<lay  and  send  you  as  a  proof  of  the 
inviolable  devotedness  and  attachment  I  feel  for  you,  a  wam- 
pum pledge  Hh  of  peace,  which  the  bearer  will  deliver  to  you 
in  my  name  and  which  I  beg  you  to  accept  in  the  same  senti- 
ments in  which  I  salute  you,  your  chiefs,  your  women,  and 
children,  and  I  am  for  life  with  the  most  sincere  friendship, 
'^''ours  affectionately, 

friar  H.  Dk  La  Motte,  Augustinian 

Religious  priest. 
Chaplain  on  the  Royal  ships  of  the  line.' 

How  long  Father  La  Motte  contimied  with  the  Lidiaiis  is 
not  known,  but  the  next  year  the  Passamaquoddy  Indians 
having  no  missionary,  resorted  to  the  priest  on  the  St.  Join;, 
although  Colonel  Allen,  the  agent,  endeavored  to  dissuade 
them.i' 

The  Bishop  of  Quebec,  notwithstanding  the  existence  of 
war  throughout  the  country,  did  not  neglect  the  western  por- 


'  Translated  from  the  oricinnl  lent  to  me  by  the  lute  Rev.  Fiither  Fiei- 
tag,  C.SS.R.  La  Motte  is  evidently  alluded  to  in  Blanchard's  Journal, 
p.  03. 

'  Letter  of  Do  Valnais,  French  Consul  at  Boston,  to  the  Indians,  Au 
gust  23,  1780. 


H      11 


V.  REV.  J.  F.  HUBERT. 


183 


tion  of  his  diocese.  In  1778  he  appointed  the  Rev.  John 
Francis  Hubert  to  the  parish  of  the  Holy  Family  at  Caho- 
kia.  The  Canadian  priest  undertook  the  dangerous  task  and 
reached  the  post  assigned  to  him,  but  he  apparently  found  it 
impossible  to  effect  much  good  there,  as  he  withdrew  in  the 
following  year. 

At  Detroit  the  aged  Franciscan,  Father  Simplieius  Boc- 
(juet,  still  maintained  the  faith,  struggling  courageously  wjjth 
the  evil  elements  in  his  parish.  The  Sulpitian,  Rev.  John 
Dilhet,  who  was  stationed  at  Detroit  in  the  early  part  of  the 
])resent  century,  says  of  the  last  of  the  Recollect  priests  at 
Detroit :  "  He  governed  this  parish  with  much  zeal  and  pru- 
dence ;  he  prevented  abuses  from  creeping  in,  such  as  honor- 
ary rights  to  seats,  to  holy  water,  and  so  forth,  claimed  by 
royal  officers ;  he  required  the  Trustees  (fabrique)  to  support 
a  chanter  ;  he  maintained  a  school  for  the  instruction  of  the 
children  ;  he  bought  a  large  bell,  and  a  silver  gilt  ostensorium ; 
suppressed  great  scandals,  such  as  illegal  marriages,  the  sale 
of  intoxicating  liquors  to  the  Indians,  public  concubinage, 
seditious  opposition  by  trustees  (marguillers)  to  his  au- 
thority. He  succeeded  in  banishing  these  abuses  and  scan- 
dals by  his  firmness,  prudence,  and  imperturbable  patience. 
Hence  his  name  is  still  in  benediction  at  Detroit,  where 
all  who  saw  him  even  in  his  old  age,  and  when  his  mind 
hud  lost  some  of  its  vigor,  never  cease  to  extol  his  virtues 
and  tiie  esteem  the  whole  parish  entertained  for  him  and  his 
good  qualities."*  But  his  strength  began  to  fail,  and  the 
firm  hand  grew  weak.  In  1782  the  Bishop  of  Quebec  sent 
Very  Rev.  John  Francis  Hubert  as  liis  Vicar-General  in  the 
West,     He  reached  Detroit  in  October. 

'  Dilhet,  "  Etat  dc  I'Eglise  Catholique  ou  du  Diocese  dos  Etats  Unis," 
pp.  103-4. 


m 


^^ 


f  4 


.!•■ 


\r^ 


184 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


The  veteran  Father  SinipHcius,  recalled  to  Canada,  had  al- 
ready bidden  farewell  to  the  flock  whom  he  had  so  long 
directed  in  the  way  of  salvation.'  On  his  way  down  to  the 
house  of  his  order,  he  met  at  Isle  Carleton  the  Rev.  Louis 
Payet,"  who  had  been  appointed  parish  priest  of  Detroit. 
His  friend  and  fellow-laborer,  the  Jesuit  Father  Peter  Potier, 
stricken  down  with  apoplexy,  had  died  at  Sandwich,  July  16,  ] 
IT^jl,  the  laist  of  the  old  Jesuit  missionaries  of  the  West.' 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Payet  was  installed  as  parish  priest  at  De- 
troit in  October,  1782,  and  assumed  the  administration  also 
of  Sandwich.  He  set  to  work  with  zeal  to  rebuild  the  pa- 
rochial residences,  to  repair  the  churches,  and  lay  out  a  new 
cemetery.* 

The  jurisdiction  of  the  Very  Rev.  John  Francis  Hubert  as 


'  His  Register  goes  on  regularly  to  September  21,  1780.  Then  follows 
a  blank  space,  and  a  baptism  in  1780  without  month  or  day.  A  new 
register  begins  Heptember  ,5,  1781,  with  an  interment  and  a  baptism  l)y 
"  Hubert,  Priest,  Vicar-General."  After  an  entry  by  him  October  10, 
comes  a  baptismal  entrj'  October  11,  signed  Payet,  priest,  and  other  entries 
to  Oo.'ober  31.  Then  follows  the  entry  of  a  bapti.sm  .June  18,  year  not 
stated,  ;u  the  hand  of  and  signed  by  fr.  Simplicius  Bocquot,  Recollect 
missioniiry,  parish  priest  and  Vic i.r  General.  The  entry  immediately 
following,  is  a  baptism  signed  ' '  Payet  ptre  cure  "  (parish  priest).  He  died 
March  24,  1787.  Tanguay,  "  Reix;rtoire  General,"  p.  107.  He  had  been 
in  America  from  .Tune,  1743. 

*  According  to  Tanguay,  "  Repertoire  General."  p.  12."),  he  was  born  at 
Montreal,  August  25.  1749,  and  wa.s  ordained  February  26,  1774.  He  re- 
mained at  Detroit  till  .June  22,  1786,  and  w.-us  parish  priest  at  Chambly  in 
the  same  year. 

*  Letter  of  Rev.  Mr.  Payet  to  Bishop  Rrii  ^1  .Tanuary  8,  1783.  He 
signs  as  pari.sh  priest  in  the  Rcgi-sicr  of  St.  Ai.n's,  Detroit,  October  22, 
1782,  a  few  previous  entries  iH'ing  signed  merely  "  priest."  Father  Du 
.Taunay  died  in  the  same  year,  February  17.  Rev.  Peter  Potier,  born 
April  2,  1708,  entered  the  Society  Si  pKinber  28.  1729,  came  to  America 
in  1743.  Martin,  "Catalogue  des  Meiiil-r"  ?  la  Compagnie  de  Jesus," 
No.  194. 

*  Letter  of  Rev.  Mr.  Payet  to  Bi.shop  Briand,  July  13,  1783. 


J   ! 


V.  REV.  J.  F.  HUBERT. 


185 


Vicar-General  of  Quebec,  extended  over  the  Illinois  country, 
and  he  made  attempts  to  meet  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  peo- 
ple from  Vincennes  to  Kaskaskia ;  but  the  dangerous  condition 
of  the  country  prevented  his  accomplishing  much,  for  he  aa- 
hered  to  England,  while  the  Kev.  Mr.  Gibault,  and  the  Catho- 
lics in  the  Illinois  country,  had  recognized  the  United  States, 
as  their  fellow  believers  had  done  in  the  East. 
The  whole  Catholic  body  in  the  United  States  was  quick- 


RT.  REV.   JOHN   FRANCIS  HUBERT,    BISHOP  OP  QUEBEC. 


ened  by  hope  of  better  days,  and  showed  by  their  unswerv- 
ing fidelity  from  first  to  last  how  well  they  deserved  them. 
Their  clergy  had  never  used  any  influeiice  except  for  the 
national  cause,  and  the  Eev.  John  Carroll  was  regardod  as 
the  representative  man  among  them.  The  American  priests 
sympathized  like  their  kinsmen  in  the  struggle;  the  Ger- 
man priests  had  no  attachment  and  no  tie  to  bind  them  to 
England,  and  even  tlK  few  born  in  Great  Britain,  who 
might  easily  have  ^eft  \  .c  country  by  entering  tlie  Eng- 
lish  lines,   clung  to   their   flocks  and   to  the   land  which 


I  11 


m 


},  * 


V 


.  !.  '':C 


\l:l 


i  ill 


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«!«■ 


Ll 


186 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Providence  had  appointed  for  their  final  labors.     Not  one 
left  tliis  country,' 

One  priest  in  the  West  had  during  the  war  shown  an  act- 
ive zeal  and  energy  in  the  cause  of  America.  Tliis  was  the 
Rev,  Peter  Gibault.  We  have  seen  the  early  labors  of  this 
priest,  wlio  was  sent  to  aid  Father  Meurin  in  his  great  work, 
as  he  labored  to  maintain  the  principles  of  religion  in  the 
hearts  of  the  rude  frontiermen.  Succeeding  Father  Meurin 
at  Kaskaskia,  he  sought  to  revive  religion  in  the  hearts  of  his 
soinewiiat  lawless  flock,  Vincennes  was  without  a  ])riest ; 
Phillibert,  who  bore  the  sobriquet  of  d'Orleans,  was  notary 
and  guardian  of  the  cliurch.  He  gave  private  baptism  to  the 
children,  made  entry  of  the  mutual  consent  of  persons  desir- 
ing to  be  married,  and  buried  the  dead.     In  this  lie  does  not 


'  The  assertion  of  Bancroft,  v.,  p.  29.'),  that  "  the  great  mass  of  its  (the 
Roman  Church's)  niembcrH  ....  who  were  chiefly  newcomers  in  the 
Middle  States,  followed  the  influence  of  the  Jesuits,"  "  who  cherished 
liatred  of  France  for  her  share  in  the  overthrow  of  their  order,"  is  utterly 
ungrounded.  The  Catholic  priest.s  are  all  known  :  there  is  no  charge  of 
Tory  proclivities  against  any  one  of  tliem.  Tory  writers  like  Smyth  and 
Eddy,  familiar  with  Maryland,  where  most  of  the  priests  wore,  never 
claim  the  Catholic  clerg}'  as  friendly  to  their  side.  Maryland  historians 
fell  of  Tory  influence  and  even  insurrection,  but  this  was  in  places  on 
the  Eastern  Shore  where  there  were  no  C'atliolics,  priest  or  laymen.  The 
list  of  those  outlawed  or  punished  as  lories  in  Maryland  contains  no 
names  recognizable  as  those  of  Catholics.  The  Penn.sylvania  Black  List 
is  singularly  free  from  Catholic  names,  and  Sabine's  Loyalists  gives  no 
Catholic.  Tills  stigma  on  the  Catholic  body  is  a  blot  on  the  great  histo- 
rian's work,  and  it  would  be  interesting  to  know  from  what  local  author- 
ity as  to  the  priests  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  he  derived  this  libel 
on  the  character  of  the  purest  of  men. 

Wharton,  though  he  renounced  the  Catholic  faith,  acknowledged  th;it 
his  Catholic  countr>Tnen  were  true  to  the  national  cause.  "  Far  from 
wishing  to  embitter  the  minds  of  their  fellow-citizens  against  the  Roman 
Catholics  of  America,  he  is  proud  to  see  them  elevated  to  that  ecjual  re- 
spectability to  which  as  zealous  supporters  of  their  country's  freedom, 
and  as  a  Christian  Society,  they  are  essentially  entitled."— A  Reply  to  the 
Address  to  the  Roman  Catholics,  Philadelphia,  1785,  p.  97. 


r  Urn  It 


'U 


REV.  PETER  OIBAULT. 


187 


seem  to  have  had  any  special  powers  as  in  the  case  of  the 
Acadians.  It  was  not  till  March  7,  1775,  that  we  see  Rev. 
Mr.  Gibaiilt  baptizing,  marrying,  and  interring  the  faithful 
at  Vincennes.'  It  was,  however,  only  a  short  visit,  and  he 
did  not  return  to  the  litii  town  on  the  Wabash,  so  far  as  the 
Kegister  shows,  till  June,  1777. 

Soon  after  his  return  to  his  residence  at  Kaskaskia,  the 
Illinois  country  became  involved  in  the  great  struggle  which 
l)egan  at  Lexington.  The  English  by  their  forts  at  Detroit, 
Kaskaskia,  and  Vincennes  controlled  the  West,  and  thence 
instigated  the  Indians  to  lay  waste  the  frontiers  of  tlie  Atlan- 
tic States.  Colonel  George  Rogers  Clark  proposed  to  the^ 
Virginia  government  an  expedition  to  capture  the  posts  and 
secure  the  country.  Receiving  the  necessary  authority  he 
assembled  a  small  force,  and  pushing  through  the  woods  with 
great  caution  and  secrecy,  surprised  Kaskaskia,  on  the  night 
(if  July  4-,  1778,  taking  Rocheblave,  the  commander,  and  his 
garrison  prisoners.  The  people  were  at  lirst  not  inclined  to 
submit,  but  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault,  better  informed  as  to  the 
dispute  between  England  and  her  colonies,  saw  that  the  in- 
terest of  his  flock  required  that  they  should  join  the  Amer- 
icans,— a  wise  decision,  since  Illinois,  e:  [K  sed  to  attack  from 
the  Continental  troops  on  the  east  and  the  Spyiards  on  the  .^ 
west,  could  not  depend  on  English  aid.  When  he  asked 
Clark  whether  he  "  would  give  him  liberty  to  perform  his 
duty  in  his  church,"  '*  I  told  him,"  says  the  America.)  com- 
mander, "that  I  had  nothing  to  do  with  cliurches,  more  ti  »n 
to  defend  them  from  insult.  That  by  the  laws  of  the  State, 
his  religion  had  as  great  privileges  as  any  other."  The  little 
town  was  soon  enthusiastic  over  the  change,  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance was  taken,  and  by  the  influence  of  the  people  of  Kas- 


'  "  Registre  du  Poate  Vincennes." 


t  -f 


I'  f  i 


(      ^: 


i     t 


188 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


kaskia,  Cabokia  also  acknowledged  the  new  rule.  Friendly 
iutprcourse  was  at  once  opened  with  the  Spanish  iiuthorities 
on  the  western  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  and  the  Illinois  coun- 
try was  delivered  from  all  fear  of  attack.  Clark  then  pro- 
posed to  march  upon  Vincenues,  but  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gil)ault, 
to  convince  the  American  ofiicer  of  his  attachment,  offered 
to  undertake  to  win  that  town  for  him,  if  Clark  would  per- 
mit him  and  a  few  of  his  people  to  go ;  he  had  no  doubt  of 
gaining  their  friends  at  Vincennes  to  the  American  side. 
Rev.  Mr.  Gibault  set  out  with  Dr.  Lefont,  the  physician  at 
Kaskaskia,  and  a  few  others,  bearing  a  proclamation  issued 
by  Col.  Clark.  The  influence  of  the  priest  was  suflScient, 
and  he  soon  returned  with  the  welcome  tidings  that  Vin- 
cennes had  raised  the  American  flag.'  The  effect  on  the 
Indian  tribes  was  great.  Seeing  that  the  French  and  the 
missionary  accepted  the  friendship  of  the  Virginians,  tlie 
Kaskaskias,  Peorias,  and  Michigameas  proposed  peace ;  and 
when  Clark  sent  a  messenger  to  the  Kickapoos  and  Pianke- 
shawF),  near  Vincennes,  they  also  agreed  to  lay  down  their 
arms.  The  tribes  in  the  northwest  hearing  the  result  soon 
came  to  propose  peace.  Thus  the  frontiers  were  at  once  re- 
lieved from  most  of  the  Indian  depredations,  and  the  French 
settlers  in  the  West  became  citizens  of  the  United  States ; 
that  this  was  effected  l)y  Clark  without  the  loss  of  a  single 
man  was  due  mainly  to  the  influence  of  Rev.  Peter  CTil)au]t. 
The  English  could  not  see  so  large  a  district  wrested  from 
riiem  without  making  an  effort  to  regain  it.  Celoron,  at 
Fort  Ouiatenon,  prepared  to  begin  a  campaign,  but  fled  on 
the  approach  of  a  detachment.  Hamilton,  with  a  large  force 
from  Detroit,  liowever,  occupied  Vincennes,  and  menaced 


'  Hamilton  to  Carleton,  August  8,  1778.     Brymner,  "  Report  on  Ar- 
chives,"  1882,  p.  17. 


HIS  SERVICES. 


189 


Kaskaskia.  Clark  sent  Kev.  Mr.  Gibault  across  the  Missis- 
sippi with  the  public  papers  and  money,  and  the  patriotic 
priest  set  out  in  January,  1779,  attended  by  a  single  man, 
and  was  detained  three  days  on  a  little  island  by  tlr  Hoating 
ice.  When  Clark,  informed  by  Francis  Vigo,  hl  Italian 
merchant,  of  the  real  state  of  affairs  at  Vincennes,  resolved 
to  attack  Hamilton,  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault  was  again  active,'  and 
Clark  marched  out,  part  of  his  force  consisting  of  two  com- 
panies of  the  Catholic  citizens  of  Illinois,  connnanded  by 
Captains  McCarthy  of  Cahokia  and  Francis  Charleville.  Be- 
fore they  left  Kaskaskia,  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault  addressed  them, 
and  gave  his  parishioners  absolution.  Vincennes  was  taken 
after  a  sharp  action,  in  which  the  Catholic  soldiers  did  their 
duty  manfully,  and  the  old  mission  Indians  gave  valuable 
aid.  Before  the  little  church  at  Vincennes,  Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Henry  Hamilton  surrendered  the  ])lace.  "  No  man," 
says  Judge  Law,  "  has  paid  a  more  sincere  tribute  to  the  ser- 
vices rendered  by  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault  to  the  American  cause 
than  Clark  himself."  "  The  services  he  rendered  Clark  in 
that  campaign  were  acknowledged  by  a  resolution  of  the 
Legislature  of  Virginia  in  1780."  "Next  to  Clark  and 
Vi<:o,  the  United  States  are  indebted  more  to  Fatlier  Gibault, 
for  the  accession  of  the  States,  comprised  in  what  was  the 
original  Nothwestern  Territory,  than  to  any  other  man." 
"With  this  testimony,  the  historian  of  the  Church  may  speak 
of  the  "  good  man  and  pure  patriot,"  Rev.  Peter  Gibault, 
"  his  patriotism,  his  sacrifices,  his  courage  and  love  of  lib- 
erty." ' 

'  Hamilton  was  extremely  anxious  to  seize  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault.  Letter 
t(i  Haldimand,  December  28,  1778.    lb.,  p.  24. 

M.aw,  "The  Colonial  History  of  Vincennes,"  Vincennes,  1858,  pp. 
h^-rt  ■  "  Colonel  Oeor>re  Rogers  Clark's  Sketch  of  his  Campaign  in  the 
Illinois,"  Cincinnati,  1869,  pp.  33-65. 


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190 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Tlie  Illinois  country,  rerlnced  to  the  authority  of  the 
United  Statt's,  was  by  the  Act  of  1  ul,  and  by  its  settle- 
ment, part  of  C^anada ;  England  had  never  recognized,  nor 
did  the  Continental  Congress  recognize,  the  claim  of  any  of 
the  States  to  it.  but  Virginia  at  once  assumed  to  annex  it  to 
her  territory,  and  in  1778  organized  it  as  the  County  of 
Illinois,  placing  it  under  the  control  of  a  Lieutenant  Com- 
mandant. Under  this  extension  of  Virginia  rule  some  of  the 
barbarous  punishments,  hitherto  unknown  to  the  French 
Catholics  and  never  witnessed  in  Canada,  were  inflicted. 
Slaves  or  servants  condcted  of  killing  t)r  attempting  to  kill 
their  masters  were  burned  alive.  Two  such  cases  are  recorded 
in  a  volume  kept  by  Todd,  the  Virginia  connuandant.  Gross 
dishonesty  in  a  modern  writer  has  attempted  to  make  the 
Kev.  Mr.  Gibault,'  the  only  priest  then  in  the  Illinois  coun- 
try, and  the  Catholic  Church  at  large,  responsible  for  tiiis 
hideous  Virginia  system,  and  to  transform  it  into  a  case  of 
witchcraft  punished  through  the  influence  of  the  Catholic 
Church  :  but  Todd's  record  says  nothintr  of  witchcraft. 
The  Church  had  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  the  matter. 

The  Virginia  rule,  unfouD''..  1  In  right,  proved  far  from 
beneficial  to  the  people.  C-i'M''*'"*^  »*  J^^st  took  a  step  to  ])nt 
an  end  to  the  conflicting  <  ics'-af-,  by  passing  on  the  13th  of 
July,  17S7.  "An  Ordinance  i'nr  the  government  of  the  ter- 
ritory of  the  United  States,  northwest  of  the  River  Ohio." 
This  organic  act  s.ived  "  to  the  French  and  Canadian  inhab- 
itants, and  other  settlers  of  the  Kaskaskias,  St.  Vincent's, 
and  the  neighbouring  villages,  who  have  heretofore  professed 
themselves  citizens  of  Virginia,  their  laws  and  customs  now 


I  E.  Mrtllpt,  "  Vorj-  Rev.  Pierre  Gibiiult,  the  Piitriot  Priefst  of  the  West," 
in  "  Washington  Catholic,"  September  30,  1782.  As  to  Virginia's  claim 
to  Illinois,  see  N.  Y.  Revolutionary  Papers,  i.,  p.  145. 


.,1 


WEST  FLORIDA. 


191 


in  force  among  tlicni,  relative  to  the  dcHO      and  crnveyanee 
(»f  property.'' 

After  Spain  declared  war  against  Engin  d,  Don  Ikrnardo 
t  vez,  Governor  of  Louir^' ma,  l)egan  oi)tiation8  ag;un»t  the 
Eni<li8h  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  He  s-urprised  Fort  Manchac 
September  7,  1779,  compelled  Baton  iumge  sUi  render  on 
the  2l8t,  and  with  it  Fort  Pai.aure  at  Natchez.  Following 
up  this  KuccesM  he  invepted  Mobile  in  the  following  Bj)ring, 
;ind  that  'ty  yielded  March  12,  17.S0.  Then  after  a  vigorous 
-lege  he  I'iuced  Pensacola  in  May.'  Thus  in  all  Western 
I  lorM,,  and  the  English  portion  of  Louisiana  up  to  Natchez, 
tlie  Catholic  Church  recovered  all  its  former  right  and 
(iig!iity. 

TIh'  parish  rejrister  of  M<  '  'le,  kept  hitherto  in  French, 
beginc  it  this  poi"*^  in  Spanish  wiili  this  beading  : 

"  On  ill.  12t'  .y  of  March,  1780.  the  fort  of  Mobile  sur- 
rendered to  \v  L'atholic  Majesty,  tl  'tieral  of  the  Expedi- 
tion being  u  Brigadier  Don  Bei'  >  de  Gal  vez,  kniglit 
penaionei  in  +he  Koyal  and  distingiiihlied  order  of  Charles 
III.,  Governor  of  the  Pro\nuce  of  Louisiana,  Colonel  of  the 
permanent  regiment  thereof,  etc.,  and  Don  Jose  Espeleta, 
Colonel  of  the  Infantry  Regiment  of  Navarre,  luu-ing  re- 
mained as  commandant  of  said  fort  and  its  district,  he  deter- 
mined that  the  parish  of  this  city  should  be  called  Purissima 
Conception — Immaculate  Conception." 

Father  Salvador  de  la  Esperanza,  a  Mercedarian  religious, 
was  left  as  parish  priest,  and  the  services  of  the  Catholic 
Church  were  restored  to  all  their  former  pomp  and  solem- 
nity.    Father  Salvador  remained  till  near  the  close  of  the 


'  "Account  of  the  Expedition  of  Don  Bernardo  de  Galvoz,"  American 
Museum,  xii. ;  App.,  ii.  Brewer,  "Alabama,  Her  History,  Resources." 
etc.  Montgomery,  1872,  p.  380,  says  tlie  14th,  but  the  Register  may  be 
relied  on. 


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Sciences 
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33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTEU.N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


192 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


year,  his  last  entry  being  on  the  2d  of  November.  In  June 
of  the  succeeding  year  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Capuchin 
Father,  Charles  de  Velez,  who  signs  as  parish  priest  to  March 
23,  1782.  On  the  10th  of  December,  1783,  Father  Francis 
Notario,  a  Dominican,  signs  as  parish  priest,  followed  Nov. 
12,  1784,  by  the  Capuchin  Father,  Joseph  de  Arazena.' 

After  Galvez  invested  Pensacola  with  a  fleet  and  army 
and  compelled  its  surrender  May  S,  1781,  there,  too,  a  new 
Register  was  begun  by  the  Capuchin  Father,  Peter  de  Velez, 
as  Beneficed  Parish  Priest  of  St.  Michael's  at  Panzacola  and 
Chaplain  to  the  Garrison.  His  first  act  was  the  burial  of 
Anthony  Soler,  July  4,  1781,  and  the  first  baptism  that  of 
Diego  John  Michael,  son  of  John  Francis  Florin  and  his  wife 
Catharine  Alois,  on  the  Slst  of  July.  Father  Velez  belonged 
to  the  Capuchin  province  of  Andalucia,  and  retained  his  po- 
sition in  the  parish  till  June,  1787,  assisted  from  the  summer 
of  1785  by  the  Capuchin  Father,  Stephen  de  Valoria,  who 
succeeded  him."  While  Catholicity  thus  regained  its  freedom 
and  aiithority  in  Western  Florida  under  the  Spanish  flag,  the 
little  colony  of  Minorcans,  who  kept  religion  alive  at  New 
Smyrna,  had  undergone  vicissitudes.  Although  Dr.  Turn- 
bull  had  engaged  himself  in  his  contract  to  give  the  colonists 
who  came  over  to  cultivate  his  indigo  plantations  fifty  acres 
of  land  for  each  head  of  a  family  and  twenty-five  for  each 
child  at  the  expiration  of  three  years,  he  not  only  never  ful- 
filled this  stipulation,  but  treated  the  unfortunate  people  as 


'  Register  of  Mobile.  In  November,  1785,  the  Abbe  de  Lescuses  signs 
in  Frencli  as  parish  priest. 

5  "  Libro  primero  de  Asientos  .  . .  de  esta  yglesia  Parroq"  de  San  Miguel 
de  Panzacola  conquistada  por  las  armas  de  N.  C.  M.  comandadas  per  ei 
Mariscal  de  Campo,  el  S^  D".  Bernardo  de  Galvez  el  dia  ocho  de  Mayo, 
1781  afios."  Colonel  Arthur  O'Neill  was  the  first  Spanish  governor  of 
Pensacola. 


THE  ''MINORCANSr 


193 


slaves,  oppressing  them  with  excessive  labor,  under  which 
many  died.  The  Kev.  Dr.  Peter  Camps,  tlieir  first  parish 
priest,  with  his  assistant,  the  Franciscan  Father,  Bartholomew 
de  Casaa  Novas,  erected  the  Church  of  San  Pedro  de  Mos- 
quitos.  The  register  of  the  baptisms  at  his  church,  extending 
from  August  25,  1768,  and  that  of  marriages  in  part,  is  still 
preserved.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Camps,  in  view  of  the  difficulty  of 
any  visitation  by  the  Bishop  of  Santiago  de  Cuba,  was  em- 
powered to  confer  the  Sacrament  of  Confirmation  for  twenty 

years.' 

Seeing  their  numbers  thinned  by  cruelty  and  disease,  the 
poor  creltures  rose  against  their  cruel  oppressor  in  1769,  but 
Dr  Turnbull  was  a  member  of  the  Colonial  Council  and  the 
Governor  was  devoted  to  him.     Five  of  the  leaders  were 
taken  to  St.  Augustine,  tried,  convicted,  and  sentenced  to 
death.     Two  were  actually  hung,  one  of  the  others  being 
compelled  to  act  as  hangman.     The  rest  of  the  people  were 
terrified  by  severe  punishments,  and  their  condition  was*ren- 
dered  worse,  if  possible,  than  before.     In  1777,  when  they 
should  have  been  installed  in  farms  of  their  own,  they  re- 
solved to  seek  redress,  and  led  by  the  brave  carpenter,  Fran- 
cis Pellicer,  they  abandoned  New  Smyrna,  and  set  out  for  St. 
Augustine,  the  old  men,  women,  and  children  in  the  centre, 
the  able-bodied  men  armed  with  sharpened   poles.     They 
numbered  about  six  hundred,  including  two  hundred  children 
born  in  Florida.     Governor  Moultrie,  more  honest  than  his 


.  Dr.  Camps.  "  Petition  to  the  King,"  October  28.  1786.  He  then  had 
Veen  6  years' cln  the  mission,  without  salary,  and  had  ^eptj^.s  flock  safe 
from  loss  by  heresy.  Notes  from  the  archives  of  the  B.shopnc  of  Ha- 
vana made  by  Rl.  Rev.  John  Moore,  D.D..  B.shop  of  St.  Aug^stme. 

On  the  17th  of  March,  1787,  he  was  nominated  for  a  canonry  m  Ma- 
jorca, and  October  26,  1784,  was  allowed  a  dollar  a  day.    In  his  petition 
he  askea  leave  to  return  to  his  native  island  of  Minorca. 
9 


194 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


predecessor,  examined  the  case,  proceedings  were  instituted, 
their  indentures  were  cancelled,  and  the  survivors  declared 
free  from  a  contract  which  Dr.  TumbuU  on  his  side  had 
failed  to  carry  out.  As  the  Minorcan  colony  did  not  wish 
to  return  to  a  spot  where  they  had  undergone  such  frightful 
sufferings,  a  part  of  the  city  of  St.  Augustine  was  assigned 
to  them,  and  their  descendants  remain  there  to  this  day,  ad- 
hering to  the  faith  to  which  they  clung.  Two  descendants 
of  Pellicer  have  been  adorned  witli  episcopal  mitres  in  the 
Church  of  the  United  States-— Right  Rev.  Anthony  Dominic 
Pellicer,  Bishop  of  San  Antonio,  and  Right  Rev.  Dominic 
Manucy,  Bishop  of  Mobile  and  Vicar-Apostolic  of  Browns- 
viHe. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Camps  accompanied  his  flock  on  their  pil- 
grimage  from  the  land  of  bondage.  He  made  in  his  Regis- 
ter the  following  entry : 

"  Note.— On  the  9th  day  of  November,  1777,  the  Church 
of  San  Pedro  was  translated  from  the  settlement  of  Mosquito 
to  the  city  of  St.  Augustine,  with  the  same  colony  of  Maho- 
nese,  which  was  established  in  said  settlement,  and  the  same 
parish  priest  and  missionary  apostolic,  D'.  D".  Pedro  Camps. 
"  Dr.  Pedro  Camps,  parish  priest."  ' 

At  St.  Augustine  the  parish  church  restored  by  Bishop 
Tejada  was  in  ruins,  his  house  was  used  for  the  Church  of 
England  service,  the  Franciscan  Convent  was  occupied  by 
the  troops,  Nuestra  Sefiora  de  la  Leche  was  a  ruin,  the  chapel 
in  the  fort  defaced   and  desecrated.     Doctor  Camps  was 


'  This  is  perhaps  unexampled,  the  transfer  of  a  parish  from  one  place 
to  another.  Rev.  Dr.  Camps  was  still  parish  priest  of  Jlosquito,  and 
not  of  St.  Augustine,  so  that  when  Spain  recovered  Florida  he  was  not 
recognized  as  incumbent  of  St.  Augustine,  but  another  clergyman  was 
appointed  parish  priest  and  Dr.  Camps  remained  by  his  sanction  to  attend 
the  Mahonese,  though  not  regarded  even  as  assistant. 


REV.  DR.  CAMPS. 


195 


without  means  to  erect  a  cbapel  for  his  flock,  who  had  been 
wronged  of  the  fruit  of  their  labor.  He  said  mass  iii  the 
liouse  of  Carrera,  near  the  city  gate.' 

Though  the  British  flag  still  floated  over  Eastern  Florida, 
the  strange  series  of  events  had  restored  Catholicity  from  St. 


CBAPEL  IN  THE  FORT  AT  ST.  AUGUSTINE,  DEFACED  BY  THE  ENGLISH. 

Augustine  to  Baton  Rouge,  and  mass  was  regularly  oifered 
in  Pensacola  and  Mobile. 


■•If 


•  Heuri  de  Courcy  de  La  Roche-Heron,  "  La  Ville  do  Saint  Augustin," 
in  tlie  "  Journal  de  Quebec,"  March-April,  1856. 


196 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


In  the  country  subject  to  the  Continental  Congress  the 
clergy   continued    their  labors  amid   the   trying  times  of 
the  war,  those  in  Maryland  exposed  to  the  depredations  of 
British  cruisers,  which,  entering  the  Chesapeake,  ascended 
the   Potomac,   plundering   plantations  and    inviting  negro 
filaves  to  seek  freedom  under  the  protection  of  the  English 
flag.     The  old  Jesuit  estates  still  held  by  the  clergy  were 
cultivated  by  slaves,  the  only  form  of  labor  to  be  obtained, 
but  the  rule  of  the  clergy  was  so  light  that  "  a  priest's  negro  " 
was  a  proverbial  expression  for  a  slave  who  was  pretty  much 
his  own  master.     It  was  noticed  and  remarked  that  the  ne- 
groes on  the  clergy  plantations,  instead  of  accepting  the 
British  invitations,  fled  from  the  plantations  to  avoid  being 
carried  off  against  their  will.'     Much  damage  was,  however, 
done  to  their  estates  by  the  British  cniisers,  which  never 
spared  them  in  their  predatory  visits  to  the  Chesapeake.    St. 
George's  Island  was  taken  and  held  for  a  time  by  Lord  Dun- 
more;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hunter's  house  at  Port  Tobacco  was 
menaced,  and  the  priests'  house  at  St.  Inigoes  showed,  till  its 
destruction  by  fire  in  our  times,  the  hole  made  by  a  British 
cannon-ball   which  passed   through   the  wall   in  Rev.  Mr. 
Lewis'  room,  just  above  his  bed.     Their  residence  at  New- 
town, Md.,  was  oflFered  and  used  as  a  hospital  for  Contmental 
soldiers." 

On  the  16th  of  June,  1779,  Maryland  monrned  the  loss  of 
the  holy  Father  George  Hunter,  who  expired  at  Port  To- 
bacco in  the  67th  year  of  hip  age.  "  He  was  truly  a  holy 
man,"  wrote  the  future  Bishop  of  Baltimore  to  his  friend, 
Rev.  Charles  Plowden,  "  full  of  the  Spirit  of  God  and  the 


'  Rev.  J.  Carroll,  impublished  reply  to  Smyth. 
'  Woodstock  Letters,  iv.,  p.  67 ;  Gov.  Lee  to  Lafayette,  April  8^  1781, 
in  Scharf,  "  History  of  Maryland,"  ii.,  pp.  442-3. 


I 


•' 


.♦',:r 


PENNSYLVANIA  AND  MARYLAND. 


197 


zeal  of  souls.  His  death  happened  during  the  hot  months 
last  summer,  which  always  had  a  terrible  effect  upon  his 
health." 

At  this  time  Rev.  Robert  Molyneux  was  in  Philadelphia, 
attending  to  the  Catholics  there  and  giving  lessons  in  English 
to  the  Chevalier  de  la  Luzerne,  showing  an  active  zeal  in  the 


^(Ttfe-r^CZ^yy^U^ 


FAC-SnriLE  OF  BIONATCRE  OP   REV.   HOBKKT  MOLYNEUX. 

education  of  his  flock.  A  school  had  been  maintained,  and 
in  1781  a  subscription  was  started  for  the  purchase  of  the 
building  and  the  lot  on  which  it  stood.  The  liberality  of  the 
people  is  shown  in  raiping  £180  3s.  toward  meeting  the 
whole  cost  of  four  hundred  pounds,  and  in  a  further  sub- 
scription of  £54  17s.  6d.  toward  the  erection  of  a  new 
Eichool-house  in  the  following  year.  This  school  was  north 
of  St.  Mary's.'  His  associate.  Rev.  Ferdinand  Farmer,  still 
attended  the  missions  in  New  Jersey.  Rev.  John  Ashton 
was  in  Maryland.  Rev.  Ignatius  Matthews  succeeded  Father 
Hunter  at  Tort  Tobacco,  Rev.  James  Walton,  and  "  that  man 

FAC-SraniE  OF  BIGNATITRE   OF  REV.    IGNATIUS  MATTHEWS. 

without  guile,"  Rev.  Austin  Jenkins,  at  Newtown  Manor, 
Rev.  Mr.  Carroll  still  serving  his  mission  at  Rock  Creek." 
Unable  to  obtain  the  Holy  Oils  as  usual  from  England,  and 
intercourse  with  Canada  being  likewise  impracticable,  the 


'  Woodstock  Letters,  xiii.,  p.  33. 

»  Letter  April  27,  1780 ;  Woodstock  Letters,  vii.,  p.  75. 


'  I 


198 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


misfionaries  in  Philadolj)}iiu  applied  to  the  Bislio])  of  Santi- 
ago de  Cuba,  and  oik  were  tlience  supplied  with  the  consent 
of  the  Xing  of  Spain.' 

When  the  combined  armies  of  the  United  States  and 
France  forced  Cornwallis  to  surrender  at  Yorktown,  the 
Minister  of  France  invited  Congress,  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council,  and  the  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania  and  others  to, 
attend  in  the  Rojnan  Catholic  Church  at  Philadelphia  during 
the  celebration  of  divine  service  and  thanksgiving  for  the 
capture  of  the  British  connnander. 

A  discourse  was  delivered  on  the  occasion  by  the  Franciscan 
Father  Seraphin  Bandol,  chaplain  to  the  Minister  of  France. 

FAC-SnrfLK  OF  BIONATURE  OF  FATHER    SERAPHIN   BANDOL. 

"  Translation  of  a  discourse  delivered  on  the  4th  instant,  in 
the  catholic  church  in  this  city,  before  the  honourable  the 
Congress,  his  Excellency  the  Minister  of  France,  and  many 
other  gentlemen  of  distinction.  By  M.  de  Bandole,  chap- 
lain to  the  embassy  of  France  : 

"  Gentlemen  : — A  numerous  people  assembled  to  render 
thanks  to  the  Almighty  for  his  mercies,  is  one  of  the  most 
affecting  objects,  and  worthy  the  attention  of  the  Supreme 
Being.  While  camps  re-sound  with  triumphal  acclamations, 
while  nations  rejoice  in  victory  and  glory,  the  most  honour- 
able office  a  minister  of  the  altars  can  fill,  is  to  be  the  organ 
by  which  public  gratitude  is  conveyed  to  the  Omnipotent. 

'  Letter  of  Dr.  .lose  de  Gnlvez,  .luly  17.  1779,  in  reply  to  a  letter  of 
Dn.  .Ttmn  de  Mirnlles,  May  16,  1779.  I  am  indebted  to  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop 
Moore  for  this  information. 


,?J*-'.-\._ 


F.  BANDOrS  ADDRESS. 


199 


"Those  miracles  which  he  once  wrought  for  liis  chosen 
])eople  are  renewed  in  our  favour  ;  and  it  would  be  equally 
ungrateful  and  impious  not  to  acknowledge,  that  the  event 
which  lately  confounded  our  enemies  and  frustrated  their 
designs,  was  the  wonderful  work  of  that  God  who  guards 
your  liberties. 

"And  who  but  he  could  so  combine  the  circumstances 
wliic'h  led  to  success  ?  We  have  seen  our  enemies  push  forward 
amid  perils  almost  innumerable,  amid  ob-^lacles  almost  insur- 
mountable, to  the  spot  which  was  designed  to  wit  aess  their  dis- 
grace ;  yet  they  eagerly  sought  it  as  t'aeir  theatre  of  triumph  I 

"  Blind  as  they  were,  they  bore  hunger,  thirst,  and  incle- 
ment skies,  poured  their  ])lood  in  battle  against  brave  repul)- 
licuns,  and  crossed  immense  regions  to  confine  themselves  in 
another  Jericho,  whose  walls  were  fated  to  fall  before  another 
Joshua.  It  is  he,  whose  voice  commands  the  winds,  the  seas 
and  the  seasons,  who  formed  a  junction  on  the  same  day,  in 
the  same  hour,  between  a  formidable  ileet  from  the  south, 
and  an  army  rushing  frotn  the  north,  Uke  an  impetuous  tor- 
rent. Who  but  he,  in  whose  hands  are  the  hearts  of  men, 
could  inspire  the  allied  troops  with  the  friendships,  the  con- 
fidence, the  tenderness  of  brothers  i  How  is  it  that  two  na- 
tions once  divided,  jealous,  inimical,  and  nursed  in  reciprocal 
prejudices,  are  now  become  so  closely  united,  as  to  form  but 
one?  Worldlings  would  say,  it  is  the  wisdom,  the  virtue, 
and  moderation  of  their  chiefs,  it  is  a  great  national  interest 
which  has  performed  this  prodigy.  They  will  say,  that  to 
the  skill  of  the  generals,  to  the  courage  of  the  troops,  to  the 
activity  of  the  whole  army,  we  must  attribute  this  splendid 
success.  Ah !  they  are  ignorant,  that  the  combining  of  so 
many  fortunate  circumstances,  is  an  emanation  from  the  all 
perfect  mind  :  that  courage,  that  skill,  that  activity,  bear  the 
sacred  impression  of  him  who  is  divine. 


l<   • 


2()0 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


"  For  how  many  favours  have  we  not  to  thank  him  dnrinj^ 
the  course  of  the  present  year  ?  Your  union,  whidi  was  at 
first  supjwrted  by  justice  alone,  has  been  consolichited  by 
your  courage,  and  the  knot  which  ties  you  together  is  become 
indissoluble,  by  the  accession  of  all  the  states,  and  the  unani- 
mous voice  of  all  the  confederates.  You  present  to  the  uni- 
verse the  noble  sight  of  a  society,  which,  founded  in  equality 
and  justice,  secures  to  the  individuals  who  comjwse  it,  the 
utmost  happiness  which  can  be  derived  from  human  institu- 
tions. This  advantage,  which  so  many  other  nations  have 
been  unable  to  procure,  oven  after  ages  of  efforts  and  misery, 
is  granted  by  divine  providence  to  the  United  States ;  and 
his  adoreable  decrees  have  marked  the  present  moment  for 
the  completion  of  that  memorable  liappy  revolution,  which 
has  taken  place  in  this  extensive  continent.  While  your 
counsels  were  thus  acquiring  new  energy,  rapid  multij)lied 
successes  have  crowned  your  arms  in  the  southern  states, 

"  We  have  seen  the  unfortunate  citizens  of  these  states 
forced  from  their  peaceful  abodes ;  iifter  a  long  and  cruel 
captivity,  old  men,  women  and  children,  thrown,  without 
mercy,  into  a  foreign  country.  Master  of  their  lands  and 
their  slaves,  amid  his  temporary  affluence,  a  superb  victor 
rejoiced  in  their  distresses.  But  Philadelphia  has  witnessed 
their  patience  and  fortitude  ;  they  have  found  here  another 
home,  and  though  driven  from  their  native  soil  they  luive 
blessed  God,  that  he  has  delivered  them  from  their  presence, 
and  conducted  them  to  a  country  where  every  just  and  feel- 
ing man  has  stretched  out  the  helping  hand  of  benevolence. 
Heaven  rewards  their  virtues.  Three  large  states  are  at  once 
wrested  from  their  foe.  The  rapacious  soldier  has  Ijeen  com- 
pelled to  take  refuge  behind  his  ramparts,  and  oppression  liiis 
vanished  like  those  phantoms  which  are  dissipated  by  the 
morning  ray. 


I 


zm. 


li     ^- 


II 


REV.  F.  FARMER. 


901 


"  On  this  solemn  occasion,  we  might  renew  our  thank§  to 
tlie  God  of  battles,  for  the  success  he  has  granted  to  the  arms 
of  your  allies  and  your  friends  by  land  and  by  sea,  through 
the  other  parts  of  the  globe.  But  let  us  not  recal  those 
ovfiits  which  too  clearly  prove  how  much  the  hearts  of  our 
tiiemies  have  been  obdurated.  Let  us  prostrate  ourselves  at 
the  altar,  and  implore  the  God  of  mercy  to  suspend  his  ven- 
c-cance,  to  spare  them  in  his  wrath,  to  inspire  them  with  senti- 
iiit'iitsof  justice  and  moderation,  to  terminate  their  obstinacy 
and  error,  and  to  ordain  that  your  victories  be  followed  by 
peace  and  trancjuility.  Let  us  beseech  him  to  continue  to 
slied  on  the  counsels  of  the  king  your  ally,  that  spirit  of  wis- 
dom, of  justice,  and  of  courage,  which  has  rendered  his  reign 
w)  glorious.  Let  us  entreat  him  to  maintain  in  each  of  tlie 
titates  that  intelligence  by  which  -the  united  states  are  in- 
t;])ired.  Let  us  return  him  thanks  that  a  faction,  whose 
R'bellion  he  has  corrected,  now  deprived  of  support,  is  anni- 
iiiiuted.  Let  us  offer  hira  pure  hearts,  unsoiled  by  private 
hatred  or  public  diesention,  and  let  us,  with  one  will  and  one 
voice,  pour  forth  to  the  Lord  that  hynm  of  praise  by  which 
christians  celebrate  their  gratitude  and  his  glory."  ' 

In  1781  Father  Farmer  again  visited  his  scattered  flock  in 
New  Jersey.  Starting  in  Burlington  County  in  February, 
this  indefatigable  missionary,  still  active  for  his  advanced 
years,  visited  Salem  and  Gloucester  Counties  in  April,  and 
tlion  ill  May  was  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  in  the 
iron  district  around  the  beautiful  sheet  now  known  as  Green- 
wood Lake,  but  then  called  by  the  more  prosaic  title  of  Long 


I  "  Pii.  Packet  or  the  General  Advertiser,"  Novtiuber  27,  1781,  No. 
S12.  The  Abbe  Bandol  remained  some  years  after  the  war,  attached  to 
tiic  French  embassy,  and  returned  to  France  in  the  spring  of  1788. 
lie  had  been  10  years  here.  (Letter  of  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  to  the 
Ximcio  at  Paris,  March  5,  1788.) 
9* 


»,  ■• ' 


41 


Li2 


!* 


•jil 

. '  '        I. 


SOS 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


W 


Pond,  and  down  to  Poin|)ton  PliiinH.  In  .luno  und  Jul)'  he  wuh 
H^uin  at  I'liiladclphia  and  in  Lower  JerHcy  ;  then  in  Septem- 
ber, crohwiiig  to  (ireenwich,  N.  J.,  he  made  hiw  way  to  Mount 
IIojK',  (treenwood  Lake,  Iiin|rwoo(|,  and  hearing  of  Canadian 
and  Acadian  Catliolics  at  Fishkill,  pashed  through  the  vallev 
by  a  well-known  route.  Wo  can  coneoive  the  joy  of  these  for- 
lorn (,\itholio8  at  the  Hudden  appearance  of  a  priest,  lie  re- 
cords the  baptism  of  fourteen  near  Fishkill,  in  New  York,  with 
names  like  Moidy,  Merlct,  Porteau,  Ferriole,  liouvet,  Latieur, 
Pollin,  Constuntin,  Feniole,  Varly,  Guilmet.  Carrying  his 
clm{)ol  service  ii«  ho  did,  we  may  infer  that  he  said  mass,  at 
this  time,  October,  1781,  in  the  Canadian  camp  near  Fishkill. 
lie  returned  by  way  of  llingwood  and  Pompton,  l)iit  be- 
fore the  end  of  tho  mouth  wuh  at  Cohanzy,  in  Salem  County. 
The  bajitisms  of  the  year  jwrformed  by  this  wonderful  mis- 
sionary numbered  170.  Tho  next  year  he  twice  traversed 
New  Jersey  from  Cohanzy  to  Greenwood,  baptizing  12i>.  In 
1783  we  trace  him  again  as  he  plods  through  the  State,  till 
tho  close  of  June,  on  his  mission  to  keep  alive  the  faith 
among  the  Catholics.  In  the  autuuui  he  made  his  way  again 
to  Fishkill,  where  ho  remained  from  the  last  day  of  October 
to  the  fourth  of  November.    He  probably  entered  New  York 


KAC-8IMlt.E  OF   REOISTER  OF  FATHER  FARMER. 

City  at  once  after  its  evacuation  by  the  British  troops  on  the 
2r)th  of  that  montlu' 


llegislur  of  Rev.  Ferdinand  Furmer. 


J!) 


!    I 


DOM  OAUTHEY. 


203 


According  to  some  French  works  a  Cistercian  Father, 
Doin  Gttuthey,  pubUshed  in  I'hihidelpiiiu  in  17«;J  a  prospec- 
tus inviting  subscriptions  for  ii  system  (f  eoiivoying  niessages 
1)V  Mieans  of  tubes,  but  investigation  lias  not  obtained  any 
n'  if  of  the  presence  in  this  country  of  the  scientific  priest, 
tliiirt  n'cognized  as  the  inventor  of  tlie  sjx'aking  tul)e.' 


I  Tlic  Records  of  the  American  Phllosophlcnl  Society  contain  no  iillu- 
-lon  to  Huch  a  propoaul,  and  uu  copy  of  tlie  ProHptctus  Lus  yet  lieuii 
fuuud. 


''^^^y^ 


CHALICE  USED  BY  ARCHBISHOP  CAHROLL. 


.'Ill 


M 


■ !  I' 


Ill 


m 


■^.!4 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  CLERGY  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  SOLICIT  A  8CPEKI0R  FROM 
THE  POPE— THE  FRENCH  INTRIGUE— DR.  CARROLl's  CON- 
TROVERSY AMTH  WHARTON — HE  IS  APPOINTED  PREFECT- 
APOSTOLIC. 

During  the  continuance  of  the  conflict  between  Great 
Britain  and  the  United  States,  direct  intercourse  between  the 
two  countries  was,  of  course,  suspended,  and  from  an  early 
period  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  correspondence,  even  by 
way  of  France  or  Belgium   became  almost  impossible. 

Before  the  close  of  the  war  the  venerable  Bishop  Challoner 
died  on  the  10th  of  January,  1781,  and  the  Rt.  Rev.  James 
Talbot,  who  had  been  consecrated  Bishop  of  Birtha,  on  the 
24th  of  August,  1759,  and  had  from  that  time  acted  as  coad- 
jutor, became  Yicar-Apostolic  of  the  London  District,  witli 
jurisdiction  over  the  faithful  in  the  United  States.     "  But,'' 
as  Dr.  Carroll  subsequently  wrote,  "  whether  he  would  hold 
no  correspondence  with  a  country  which  he  perhaps  consid- 
ered as  in  a  state  of  rebelli-  .n,  or  whether  a  natural  indolence 
and  irresolution  restrained  him,  the  fact  is,  that  he  held  no 
kind  of  intercoiu-se  with  priest  or  layman  in  this  part  of  his 
charge.     Before  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  his  predecessor 
had  appointed  a  Vicar,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lewis,  and  he  governed 
the  mission  of  America  during  the  Bishop's  silence."  ' 

Bishop  Talbot  went  further;  when  in  1783  the  Revs. 
John  Boone  and  Henry  Pile,  two  Maryland  priests  belong- 
ing to  the  suppressed  Society,  who  had  been  unable  to  return 
to  their  native  land  during  the  war,  applied  to  the  Bishop 


'  Carroll,  "  Sketch  of  Catholicity  in  the  U.  S." 
(204) 


ACTION  OF  THE  CLERGY. 


205 


for  faculties,  he  refused  to  give  them,  and  declared  that  he 
world  exercise  no  jurisdiction  in  the  United  States,  These 
two  iM'iests  apparently  then  wrote  to  the  Propaganda  for 
faculties,  and  thus  brought  the  condition  of  affairs  in  the 
United  States  before  the  Head  of  the  Church.' 

The  Maryland  clergy,  fearful  of  exciting  prejudice  against 
themselves,  made  no  attempt  to  restore  the  dependence  on 
England  ;  all  their  writings  show  that  they  desired  only  to 
have  a  local  Superior  chosen  from  their  own  body,  and  sub- 
ject directly  to  the  Pope. 

Yet  for  a  few  priestd,  all  members  of  an  order  so  recently 
suppressed  by  one  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiffs,  to  obtain  a  hear- 
iiicr  or  favor  at  Rome,  seemed  almost  impossible,  the  more 
especially  as  the  country  had  no  ambassador  at  Rome  to  lay 
tlie  matter  before  the  Holy  See.  But  this  cons:  ation  did 
not  prevent  their  taking  action. 

Left  to  themselves,  the  clergy  in  Maryland  and  Pennsyl- 
vania, after  the  suppression  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  was  for- 
mally notified  to  them,  lived  under  pro^^8ional  and  informal 
regulations.  The  regulations  or  statutes  of  the  Vicariate- 
Ajiostolic  of  London  were  not  apparently  comnmnicated  to 
them  or  enforced. 

After  Rev.  John  Carroll  arrived  in  1YY4,  no  other  priest 
came  over  from  Europe,  the  war  which  followed  preventing 
further  intercourse  with  England.  Rev.  Anthony  Carroll, 
who  accompanied  him,  returned  to  Europe  the  next  year ; 
Rev.  Matthias  Manners  died  at  Bohemia,  June  15,  17Y5  ; 
Rev.  Arnold  Livers  at  St.  Inigoes,  August  16,  1777 ;  Rev. 
George  Hunter  at  St.  Thomas',  August  1,  1779 ;  Rev.  Peter 
Morris  at  Newtown,  November  19,  1782.  Thus  had  their 
little  band  been  fearfully  thinned  in  less  than  ten  years. 

1  Roman  memorandum  on  a  letter  from  Maryland  to  the  Propaganda, 
November  10, 1783.    The  two  priests  came  over  in  1784  (Foley,  Treacy). 


PI 


fit 


m 


206 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


With  the  peace  in  1783  came  the  Rev.  Leonard  Neale 
destined  to  exercise  a  great  iiiflueuce  in  his  native  land  us 
priest,  Vicar-General,  Coadjutor  Bishop,  and  finally  Arch- 
bishop of  Baltimore,  as  well  as  founder  and  director  of  the 
first  Monastery  of  Visitation  Nuns  in  this  country.     Leonard 
Neale,  son  of  William  and  Anne  Neale,  was  born  October 
15,  1746,  at  their  mansion  near  Port  Tobacco,  in  Charles 
County,  of  a  family  long  settled  in  the  Province  of  Mary- 
land, the  founder  of  this  family.  Captain  James  Neale,  hav- 
ing arrived  here  before  1642,  when  we  find  him  privy  coun- 
cillor.    His  Avife  had  been  one  of  the  maids  of  honor  to 
Queen  Henrietta  Maria,  and  the  name  of  the  consort  of  Kino- 
Charles  I.  was  perpetuated  for  generations  in  the  family  of 
Neale.     Captain  Neale  had  lived  for  some  years  in  Spanisli 
and  Portuguese  territory,  and  four  of  his  children,  born  out 
of  England,  were  naturalized  in  Maryland  after  his  arrival.' 
Young  Leonard  was  sent  to  Europe  at  the  age  of  12  by 
his  widowed  mother ;  he  entered  the  Jesuit  College  at  St. 
Omer  and  continued  his  academic  course  there  and  at  Bruges 
and  Liege.     Feeling,  like  several  of  his  family,  that  he  was 
called  to  serve  God  in  the  religious  state,  he  entered  the  So- 
ciety of  Jesus  at  Ghent  on  the  7th  of  September,  1167. 
AVhen  the  Society  was  suppressed  six  years  afterward  he  was 
a  priest  and  pursuing  his  third  year  in  theology  at  Liege. 
He  purposed  returning  to  America,  but  undertook  a  mission 
in  England.     After  a  time,  finding  that  a  field  for  mission- 
aries was  opened  in  Demerara,  he  offered  to  serve  in  that 
unhealthy  colony,  where  the  authorities  allowed  no  public 
worship  to  Catholics.     On  the  4th  of  May,  1780,  he  obtained 
faculties  for  the  mission  from  the  Most  Rev,  Ignatius  Busca, 


'  Davis,  "  ,'3ay  Star  of  American  Freedom,"  New  York,  1855,  pp.  85, 
150,  248,  268. 


w 


MEETING  AT  WU       MARSH. 


ao7 


Archbishop  of  Emesa  and  Apostoiie  i^uncio  at  Brussels.  He 
probably  reached  Demerara  the  same  year  and  labored  with 
zeal  among  the  Indians  and  the  colonists,  addressing  a  report 
on  his  labors  to  the  Prefect  of  the  Propaganda  in  1Y82.  He 
is  sjiid  to  have  left  Demerara  in  January,  1783,  having  re- 
tiolved  to  labor  in  his  own  country.  On  his  home  voyage  he 
fell  into  the  hands  of  British  cruisers,  but  arrived  in  Mary- 
land in  April.  He  was  welcomed  by  his  missionary  brethren 
there,  as  well  as  by  his  kindred,  and  after  attending  the 
meeting  called  at  Whitemarsh,  was  stationed  at  Port  Tobacco. 

The  priests  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  had  long  felt 
the  want  of  some  organization  to  preserve  the  property  then 
in  the  hands  of  individuals,  and  to  maintain  some  form  of 
discipline  till  the  Holy  See  provided  for  the  wants  of  the 
Church  in  the  United  States. 

A  letter  was  addressed  by  several  of  the  clergy  to  the  Rev. 
John  Lewis,  who  still  continued  to  act  as  Vicar-General  of 
the  Yicar-Apostolic  of  London.  In  this  they  asked  him  to 
attend  a  meeting  which  they  regarded  as  absolutely  necessary 
for  the  preservation  and  well-government  of  all  matters  and 
concerns  of  the  clergy,  and  the  service  of  religion  in  this 
country.  As  Rev,  Mr.  Lewis  concurred  willingly,  the  meet- 
iiii;  was  called  at  Whitemarsh,  Maryland,  on  the  27th  of 
June,  1783.  It  was  attended  by  the  Revs.  John  Carroll, 
John  Ashton,  Charles  Sewell,  Bernard  Diderick,  Sylvester 
Boarnian,  and  Leonard  Neale,  the  last  representing  also  the 
Revs.  Ignatius  Matthews,  Louis  Roels,  and  John  Bolton,  who 
wore  unable  to  attend. 

At  this  meeting  views  were  interchanged,  and  the  plan  of 
a  form  of  government  was  submitted.  This  was  then  com- 
iimnicated  to  all  the  priests  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania, 
aiul  as  it  was  found  not  easy  to  bring  all  together,  districts 
were  formed,  from  each  of  which  the  clergy  were  to  send 


ir 


\i\ 


!/. 


208 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


delegates.  Meanwhile  the  clergy  of  the  Southern  District, 
meeting  at  Newtown,  Septeuibr  ;•  23,  1783,  to  the  number  of 
seven,  two  being  absent,  suggested  several  amendments  to 
the  Plan  and  Rules,  and  showed  less  jealousy  of  the  Suiie- 
rior  in  spirituals '  than  liad  been  manifested  at  the  general 
meeting. 

The  delegates  of  the  Districts  met  at  "Whitemarsh  on  the 
6th  of  November,  and  were  the  Rev.  John  Lewis  for  the 
Northern  District,  comprising  Pennsylvania  and  the  Eastern 
Shore  of  Maryland  ;  John  Carroll  and  Bernard  Diderick  for 
the  Middle  District,  comprising  the  Western  Shore  of  Marv- 
land,  exclusive  of  St.  Mary's  and  Charles  Counties,  which 
formed  the  Southern  District,  represented  by  Rev.  Ignatius 
Matthews  and  Rev.  James  Walton. 

The  plan  was  here  thoroughly  discussed  and  revised  ;  but 
the  final  adoption  was  deferred  to  a  future  meeting. 

About  this  time,  and  evidently  under  some  resolution  then 
adopted,  a  committee  consisting  of  the  Revs.  John  Lewis, 
Bernard  Diderick,  Ignatius  Matthews,  James  Walton,  and 
John  Carroll  were  appointed  to  prepare  a  petition  to  the 
Pope,  asking  that  the  Rev,  John  Lewis  should  be  formally 
constituted  Superior  and  invested  M-ith  power  to  administer 
confirmation,  bless  chalices,  and  impart  faculties  to  the  priests 
in  the  mission. 

The  Superior,  Rev.  John  Lewis,  enjoyed  the  respect  of  all 
missionaries,  and  Dr.  Carroll  wrote  of  him :  "  It  is  happy 
that  the  present  Superior  is  a  person  free  from  every  selfish 
view  and  ambition,"  and  at  this  time  no  other  Superior 
seems  to  have  been  desired. 

The  petition  to  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  was  in  these  words : 


'  Proceedings  at  a  meeting  of  the  Southern  District  '  f  the  Cler'n- 
September  23.  1788.  ' 


!  I 


* 


-,<1 


V 


''/'/'  AUKOLL. 

-!•;,  I  •">;;.  to  the  nuin!  • 

■•,'»iet.i  fcL'Veral  aiiu'iuliiieir 

'  -voii  less  jcaluu'^y  of  the  "^ 

'.  till  uiiiaifested  at  the  l!> 

'  Mtriots  met  at  Wliitcmarsh  <■ 
lite  Ht'V.  .John  Lf\vif(  1«. 
....  iVnusvhaiiia  and  tho  K.,  • 
<  ;irroll  and  Jieriiard  I)idi;ri( 
■.•iing  tho  Western  Sliorf  of  M 
St.   Man'.--  and  Charles  Conntir 
ithern  Disti-ict,  i-oprcisented  hy  \l\-\.  i 
»i:tit'  cw-  ,t:i<i  iiev.  Jamos  \Va1ti.>n. 

The  plan  was  here  thoroughly  discussed  and  n  \i ni 
tin;  thud  adoption  whh  deferred  to  a  future  meetin;.'. 

A1x)Ut  this  time,  and  evidently  under  Mum?  rewdutio; 

ad<»pted,  a  committee  couiJisting  of  the  lievs.  John    I 

'  >iderifk,   Ignatius  Matthews,  James  Waltoi, 

•II  wen-  ;«}»poi;ited  to  ]»re])are  a  petition   ; 

-  rli;.t   fhr  ;1,       ^^l^,  Tpvvik  should   he  h.\ 

h  power  to  adin: 
fandties  to  thf  j 

n.n\  iCev.  John  i.i  '  lyed.  the  re!*jX'Cf 

ind   Dr.  rarroll   v.  ..i>   <•!   him:   "  [',   i 
.  •,-  Snn'''Hor  1^  i  rH'i>.iii  fn-c  tV,.ni  v\{::v\  ■ 
.''   :  '    I :  '  .,  .   ..iher  Sn.    ■ 

■  !i-ed. 

:  -eifrn  Pi^ufiff  was  in 

:    thfi  Bouthmu  District  Of  tlie  (  ' 


MOST   RtV.  JOHN    CARROLL. 

ARCHBISHOP  OF   BALTIMORE 


# 


Ill 


"  Most  ] 

"We, 

James  ^^ 

the  Tl 
t(  igetlier 
tlie  fjooc 
mure  rei 
proving 
our  bret 
timt  we, 
America 
sary  spir 
residing 
(piently 
rulers  oi 
our  eccL 
])reme  ci 
wo.  jilae 
Holiness 
anew  tlu 
John  Lc 


icai 


-A 


<ul»ject 
delegate 
to  priest 
ent;  tl 


lia 


one  or  n 

and  disti 

"  Mor 

the 


bless 


during  t 
il  alta 


aiK 


lit"  conii: 


PETITION  TO  THE  POPE. 


2U9 


•  Most  Holy  Father  : 

"  We,  John  Lewis,  Bernard  Diderick,  Ignatius  Matthews, 
,1  nines  Walton,  and  John  Carroll,  nuHsioniiry  priests,  residing 
ill  the  Thirteen  United  States  of  North  America,  assembled 
tdijether  from  the  neighboring  stations  to  take  counsel  for 
the  j^ood  of  the  missions,  our  fellow-priests  residing  in  the 
more  remote  parts  of  this  mission,  agreeing  herein  and  ap- 
proving by  letter,  in  our  name  and  in  the  common  name  of 
our  brethren,  with  all  respect  represent  to  your  Holiness, 
tliiit  we,  placed  under  the  recent  supreme  dominion  of  United 
America,  can  no  longer  have  recourse,  as  formerly,  for  neces- 
sary spiritual  jurisdiction  to  the  Bishops  and  Vicars-Apostolic 
residing  in  different  and  foreign  States  (for  this  has  very  fre- 
([uontly  been  intimated  to  us  in  very  positive  terms  by  the 
rulers  of  this  Republic),  nor  recognize  any  one  of  them  as 
our  ecclesiastical  Superior,  without  open  offense  of  this  su- 
jireme  civil  magistracy  and  political  government.  Wherefore 
wo.  placed  in  this  difficult  position,  have  recourse  to  your 
Holiness,  lmml)ly  beseeching  you  to  vouchsafe  to  confirm 
anew  the  ecclesiastical  Superior  whom  we  now  have,  namely, 
John  Lewis,  a  priest  already  approved  and  confirmed  by  the 
N'ic'ur-Apostolic  of  London,  to  whom  this  whole  mission  was 
subject  before  the  change  of  political  government,  and  to 
delegate  to  him  the  power  of  granting  the  necessary  faculties 
to  priests  coming  into  these  missions,  as  it  shall  seem  expedi- 
ent ;  that  said  Superior  may  delegate  this  power  to  at  least 
one  or  more  of  the  most  suitable  missionaries  as  the  necessity 
and  distance  of  time  and  place  may  require. 

"  Moreover,  as  there  is  no  Bishop  in  these  regions,  who  can 
liless  the  holy  oils,  of  which  we  were  deprived  for  several  years 
ihirinw  the  confusion  of  the  war,  no  one  to  bless  the  chalices 
iind  altar  stones  needed,  no  one  to  administer  the  sacrament 
of  confirmation,  we  humbly  beseech  your  Holiness  to  em- 


i^ 

^i^^^l 

.  J-  -.- 

111 

iMi  i 


210 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


power  the  miid  Jolin  LewiH,  priest,  Sii])erior,  to  ijerfonn  tliese 
thiiigH  in  tlio  preHcnt  neoessity,  aiul  until  otherwise  provided 
for  tliis  luiswion  by  your  JIolineHs,  tiiat  our  faitlifiil,  living  in 
many  dangerH,  may  l)e  no  longer  deprived  of  tlie  Sacrament 
of  Confirmation  nor  die  without  Extreme  Unction  according 
to  the  rite  of  the  Church. 

"  Moreover,  we  also  pray  your  Holiness  to  bestow  on  this 
mission  the  indulgences  of  the  Jubilee,  and  to  extend  to  the 
missionaries  the  ample  faculties  which  may  seem  seasonable 
in  these  viu^t  and  remote  regions  racked  by  a  long  bitter  war, 
where  on  account  of  the  constant  n)ilitary  movements,  neither 
the  Jubilee  on  the  exaltation  of  your  Holiness  to  the  See  <  f 
Peter,  nor  the  Jubilee  of  the  year  177i">,  could  be  pronnd- 
gated,  much  less  celebrated  or  enjoyed. 

''This,  ]\[ost  Holy  Father,  is  what  we  the  aforesaid  peti- 
tioners, missionary  ])riests  iu  these  regions  of  United  North 
America,  lunubly  solicit  from  your  Holiness'  sui)reme  wisduiu 
and  providence  for  the  gootl  of  the  Catholic  religion."  ' 

This  petition  was  forwarded  through  Cardinal  Korromeo, 
and  was  evidently  i)resented,  as  it  is  in  the  llomau  Arcliivcs. 
When  its  tenor  became  known,  fears  were  entertained  tliat  it 
was  not  sutficiently  respectful,  and  another  jietition  somewhat 
similar  in  purport,  but  asking  the  aj)pointment  of  a  Superior 
to  be  elected  by  them,  declaring  that  the  Tinted  States  woidd 
not  permit  a  liishop,  and  specifying  the  faculties  and  certain 
olKces  which  the  clergy  desired  to  recite,  was  drawn  up  ami 
forwarded  to  Rome,  but  apparently  arrived  only  in  time  tu 
be  nsed  as  evidence  of  tlie  resi)ect  of  the  American  clergy.' 

Rev.  Mr,  Carroll  was  not  oidy  one  of  the  committee  aj)- 
pointed  to  draw  up  this  memorial,  but  was  requested  to  send 

'  Archives  of  the  PropaRiindn,  Rome. 

'  Petitiou  iu  Archives  of  the  See  of  Baltimore. 


\-r-:^,,..^.i 


CARROLL'S  VIEWS. 


211 


it  to  a  friend  at  Koiiie  tlirougli  whom  it  iiiiglit  he  i)res<nite(l 
t(i  the  Sovereign  Pontiff.  Tiio  nieniorial  waw  signed  hy  Uev. 
Mr.  Lewis,  and  in  tratimnitting  it,  tiie  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll  wrote: 
"  Von  are  not  ignorant  tiiat  in  these  United  States  onr  re- 
ligious systetn  has  nndergone  a  revolution,  if  possible,  more 
extraordinary  than  our  politieal  one.  In  all  of  them  free 
toleration  is  allowed  to  Christians  of  every  denomination  ; 
and  |)articularly  in  the  States  of  Pennsylvania,  Delaware, 
Maryland,  and  Virginia,  a  eonnnunicatlon  of  all  civil  right-*, 
witiiout  distinction  or  diminution,  is  extended  to  those  of 
our  religion.  This  is  a  blessing  and  advantage  which  it  is 
our  duty  to  preserve  and  improve,  with  the  utmost  i>rudence, 
liy  (lenieain'ng  ourselves  on  all  occasions  as  subjects  zealously 
attached  to  otir  goverinnent  and  avoiding  to  give  any  jeal- 
ousies on  account  of  any  dependence  on  fctreign  juris(licti<in8 
more  than  that  which  is  essential  to  our  religion,  an  acknowl- 
edgment of  the  Pope's  spiritual  8U])remacy  over  the  whole 
Christian  world.  You  know  tiiat  we  of  the  elergy  have 
heretofore  resorted  to  the  Vicar-Apostolic  of  the  Londoti 
District  for  the  exercise  of  si)iritual  powers,  but  being  well 
a('([iiainted  with  the  temper  of  Congress,  of  our  assend)lieB 
and  the  people  at  large,  we  are  firmly  of  opinion  that  we 
shall  not  bo  suffered  to  continue  under  such  a  jurisdiction 
whenever  it  becomes  known  to  the  publick.  You  may  be  as- 
sured of  this  from  the  following  fact.  The  clergy  of  the 
Church  of  England  were  heretofore  subject  to  the  Bishoj)  of 
London,  but  the  underage  taken  at  this  dependence  was  so 
gn.'at,  that  notwithstanding  the  power  and  jirevalence  of  that 
sect  they  could  find  no  other  method  to  allay  jealousies,  than 
hy  withdrawing  themselves  as  they  have  lately  done,  from  all 
obedience  to  him. 

"  Beihg  therefore  thus  circumstanced,  we  think  it  not  only 
adviseable  in  us,  but  in  a  manner  obligatory,  to  solicit  the 


Ml 


« 1 


n 


m 


312  '    FE  OF  AIWIIBISHOP  CARROLL. 

Holy  See  to   place  the  episcopal  p  were,  at  least  such  im 
most  emHjntial.  in  the  liiindH  of  oik'  ai«oii(f«t  us,  whose  virtui' 
knowlod^',  and  iiiff^rity  of  faith,  shall  he  cortitietl  hy  oup. 
»eh  I  •      We  Hhall  aiiiu     to  this  letter  such  powern  an  we  jii(|fr,> 
it  absolutely  necessary  he  (^lioukl  he  i  ivested  with.    We  niiglit 
aiiii  /u^y  very  cogent  reasons  for  h    ving  aiuonjrst  thetn,  a 
pert*ou  th  us  enii)owered,  and  for  want  of  whom  it  is  iinpossi- 
hle  to  conceive  the  inconvenience  haj)peMin^  every  day.     If 
it  ho  poflsihlo  to  ohtain  a  j;rant  fnmi  Koine  for  ventinj^  thcMe 
powers  in  our  Superior  jiro  Inttpore,  it  would  l)c  iiiont  do- 
sirahle.     We  shall  endeavor  to  have  you  aidetl  in  tin-  appli- 
cation, by  a  recoinrnendafion,  if  posnihle,  from  our  own  coun- 
try and  the  minister  of   France.     You  will  know  liow  to 
avail  yourself  of  so  favorable  a  Russian  minister  at  Rome; 
and  if  Afr.  Thorpe  will  be  pleased  to  untl.Ttake  the  manajro- 
meiit  (»f  the  business  there,  we  will  with  ciieerfulnecs  and 
gratitude  "answer  all  expenses  which  he  may  incur  in  the 
prosecution  of  it.     lie  will  be  the  judge,  how  and  whether 
the  arnu'xed  petition  ought  in  prudence  to  be  presented  to 
His  Holiness,  but  at  all  events  the  powers  therein  contained, 
are  those  which  we  wish  our  Superior  to  be  invested  with."  ' 
Hut  while  the  Catholic  clergy  in  the  United  States  were 
thus,  in  a  legitinuite  way,  a])plying  to  the  Sovereign  Pontitl" 
for  the  appointment  of  a  Superior,  and  giving  intelligent  ex- 
pression to  the  wants  of  the  clergy  and  peo]>le,  and  showinir 
their  condition   under  the  new  systems  of  govermnent,  a 
scheme  had  been  formed,  apparently  in  the  French  embassy 
at  Philadelphia,  to  impose  on  American  Catholics  a  French 
bishop  residing  in  Europe.' 


'  Letter  of  Rev.  .Tolin  Carroll.  Novemlier  10,  1783.     Italian  fnm«Iiitit.r) 
iu  Archives  of  Propajfiinda. 

'  In  an  ndditiomil  niemorandum  in  Froncli,  appended  in  the  arcl-ivvK 
at  Rome  to  the  well-known  note  of  the  Nuncio,  is  the  following ;  "  TLcrc 


rf! 


THE  FRENCH  INTRIOUE. 


213 


before  the  nieinorial  of  the  Catholic  clor^  in  Amerit  i 
had  been  ex|HMlitt'(l,  the  Nuncio  of  the  Poihj  at  Paris,  Prince 
I'ainphilo  Doria,  ArchlMwhopof  Seleucia,  had  Ihjci  approached 
to  ()l»tain  hirt  favor  for  the  ])roje('t.  Acting  in  ignorance  of 
till'  real  condition  of  affairH  in  the  United  StateH,  the  repre- 
w'litative  of  the  Pope  addressed  to  Benjamin  Franklin  the 
tiilluwinj;,  in  which  the  idea  of  a  French  superior  is  clearly 
indicated,  and  the  H|)iritual  government  of  Catholics  viewed 
lis  a  matter  to  he  scilled  by  the  King  of  France  and  Congress : 

"The  iSuncio  Apostolic  has  the  honor  to  transmit  to  Mr. 
Fnitiklin  the  sul  (joined  note.  He  requests  him  to  cause  it  to 
1)1'  pi(  -t  ntcd  to  the  Congress  of  the  Ignited  States  of  North 
America,  and  to  support  it  with  his  influence. 

"  July  28,  1783. 

'*  KoTE. — Previous  to  the  revolntiou  which  has  jugt  been 
ooni])leted  in  the  United  States  of  North  America,  the  Cath- 
olics and  missionaries  of  those  provinces  depended,  in  spirit- 
ual matters,  on  the  Yicar-Apostolic  residing  in  London.  It 
is  now  evident  that  this  arrangement  can  be  no  longer  main- 
tained, but,  as  it  is  necessary  that  the  Catholic  Christians  of 
the  United  States  should  have  an  ecclesiastic  to  govern  them 

exist  in  Frnncc  four  cstiiblishmonts  of  Euglisii  mnnkH  wlioso  total  rove- 
iiucs  may  amount  to  50  or  00,000  livrcs.  Tlicse  monkH  (moines)  arp  few 
in  numlKT.  Tlio  want  of  subjects  renders  tliose  wlio  arc  l(,'f  t  at  least  use- 
less. It  might  he  possible  for  the  King  of  France,  in  order  to  gratify  the 
Cinirt  of  Rome,  and  bring  closer  the  bonds  of  friendship  with  the  United 
Stales,  to  permit  these  establishments  to  he  used  to  form,  instruct  and  in 
part  maintain  the  ecclesiastics  to  l)e  employed  in  America.  To  attain  the 
object  better,  it  would  l)e  advantage nis  that  one  of  the  Bishops  named 
by  the  Holy  See,  should  he  a  subject  nf  the  King  and  reside  in  France, 
always  at  hand  to  act  in  concert  with  his  Holiness  and  the  American 
Minister  and  aii>ipt  with  them,  means  to  form  ecclesiastics  agreeable  to 
Coii;;ies8,  and  useful  to  American  Catholics."  What  a  scheme  for  the 
enslavement  of  Catholics  in  this  country  1 


■-a 


214 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


in  matters  pertainintir  to  religion,  the  Congregation  de  Pn,- 
paganda  Fide,  existing  at  Rome,  for  the  establishment  and 
preservation  of  missions,  have  come  to  the  determination  to 
propose  to  Congress  to  establish  in  one  of  the  cities  of  the 
United  States  of  North  America,  one  of  their  Catholic  breth- 
ren, with  the  authority  and  power  of  Vicar-Apostolic  ami 
dignity  of  Bishop,  or  simply  with  the  rank  of  Apostolic  Pre- 
fect.    The  institution  of  a  Bishop  Yicar-Apostolic  appears 
the  most  suitable,  inasmuch  as  the  Catholics  of  the  United 
States  may  have  within  their  reach  the  reception  of  Confir- 
mation and  Orders  in  their  own  country.     And  as  it  may 
sometimes  happen  that  among  the  members  of  the  Catholic 
body  in  the  United  States,  no  one  may  be  found  qualified  to 
undertake  the  charge  of  the  spiritual  government,  either  as 
Bishop  or  Prefect-Apostolic,  it  may  be  necessary  under  such 
circumstances,  that  Congress  should   consent   to  have  one 
selected  from  some  foreign  nation  on  close  terms  of  friend- 
ship with  the  United  States."  ' 

The  Nuncio  also  transmitted  to  the  French  minister  in  the 
United  States  a  letter  addressed  to  the  Senior  Catholic  mist^ion- 
ary.  Later  in  the  year,  on  the  15th  of  December,  Dr.  Franklin, 
though  he  saw  that  Congress  could  not  interfere,  wrote  from 
Passy  to  the  Count  de  Vergennes,  prime  minister  of  France : 

"  SiB  : — I  understand  that  the  Bishop  or  Spiritual  person 
who  superintends  or  governs  the  Roman  Catholic  clergy  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  resides  in  London,'  and  is  sup- 
posed to  be  under  obligations  to  that  Court,  and  subject  to 


'  "  Diplomatic  Correspondence  of  the  American  Revolution,"  Boston 
1829,  iv.,  pp.  158-9. 

'  At  this  time  the  Vicar-Apostolic  in  London  had  exercised  no  author- 
ity for  eight  years,  and,  as  we  have  seen,  actually  disavowed  any  juris- 
diction in  the  United  States. 


V.     K 


FRANKLIN  DUPED. 


215 


be  influenced  by  its  Ministers,  This  gives  me  some  uneasi- 
ness, and  I  cannot  but  wish  that  one  should  be  appointed  to 
that  office,  who  is  of  this  nation  and  who  may  reside  here 
among  our  friends.  I  beg  your  Excellency  to  think  a  little 
of  this  matter  and  to  afford  me  your  counsels  upon  it.  "With 
the  gi'eatest  respect,  I  am, 

"  Sir, 
"  Your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  most 

humble  servant, 

«B.  Feanklin." 

But  for  the  positive  evidence  we  could  scarcely  believe 
that  Dr.  Franklin  lent  himself  to  a  plan  for  treating  his 
Catholic  countrymen  in  this  manner  and  helping  a  conspir- 
acy to  subject  them  not  to  a  Superior  chosen  from  among 
themselves,  but  to  one  nominated  by  the  French  court  and 
residing  in  France. 

A  letter  of  Barlie  Marbois,  French  Minister  to  the  United 
States,  indicates  that  the  whole  scheme  originated  with  him  ; 
it  represents  the  Catholies  in  America  as  having  been  directed 
during  the  war  by  Jesuits  who  favored  the  British,'  and  spoke 
of  the  rancor  of  the  Jesuits  against  the  house  of  Bourbon.^ 


'  This  is  Bancroft's  rendering,'  of  Marbois,  wlio  wrote,  "  The  Ciitholics, 
always  directed  by  the  Jesuits  in  this  country,  have  been  ill-disposed  to 
th'^  Revolution  ;  they  are  not  better  disposed  toward  us."  "  La  Revolu- 
tion "  does  not  mean  the  American  Revolution  at  all,  but  the  Voltairean 
ideas  of  the  day,  and  to  make  it  mean  "  favored  the  British,"  shows 

*  Mnrbois  to  Vergennes,  27th  March,  1785,  cited  in  Bancroft,  '  History 
of  the  Formation  of  the  Constitution,"  New  York,  1885.  It  is  incon- 
ceivable how  Mr.  Bancroft  could  have  adopted  this  silly  and  mendacious 
nonsense  for  history  and  used  it  to  malign  his  own  countrymen.  The 
Enslish  .lesuits  suffered  mainly  from  the  Austro-Belgian  government, 
not  from  the  Bourbons.  Not  a  line  written  by  them  shows  any  such 
rancor  as  Barbfi  Marbois  invents  ;  and  not  a  priest  who  had  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  suppressed  Society  in  this  country  favored  the  British  during 
tlie  war. 


i 


216 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Tlie  Count  de  Vergennes,  on  receiving  Franklin's  letter, 
made  a  memorandum,  which  shows  that  he  did  not  adopt  tlie 
idea  of  a  Vicar-Apostolic  for  the  United  States  residing  i„ 
Paris.  He  knew  somewhat  of  the  Catholic  Church,  if  Frank- 
Hn  did  not.' 

The  French  minister  consulted  the  Archbishop  of  Bor- 
deaux, whom  Franklin  had  already  approached,  and  the 
Bishop  of  Autun  in  regard  to  the  matter.  Monseigneur 
Cice,  Archbi«liop  of  Bordeaux,  rephed  with  great  prudence 
and  caution. 

"  I  regard  it  a  duty,  Count,"  he  wrote,  «  to  inform  you  of 
the  proposition  just  made  me  by  Mr.  Franklin.  The  object 
is  to  secure  to  religion  among  the  Cathohcs  in  the  United 
States,  more  order  and  facility  in  the  number  and  choice  of 
ministers  necessary  for  them.  I  reasonably  presume  that  in 
tins  matter  Mr.  Franklin  is  the  interpreter  of  the  wishes  of 
his  Catholic  fellow-citizens.  He  seems  to  desire,  that  to  at- 
tain more  securely  what  they  propose,  they  should  have  in 
France  a  titled  ecclesiastic,  ai)pointed  to  provide  for  the  wants 
of  the  Church." ' 

Doctor  Franklin,  so  far  from  being  the  interpreter  of  the 
wishes  of  his  Catholic  fellow-countrymen,  was  acting  without 
their  knowledge,  and  to  their  detriment,  as  well  as  in  direct 
opposition  to  then-  petition  to  the  Pope. 

The  American  envoy  evidently  did  not  see  the  object  of 
the  intrigue,  or  he  might  have  obtained  information  ifor  the 
^  uncio.  As  it  was,  the  documents  were  transmitted  by  him 
to  the  Continental  Congress,  and  reached  that  body,  when  it 


Ills  memorandum  is.  "  Mr.  Franklin  represcnte  que  I'Eveoue  oham' 
(le  la  direction  du  clerge  Catliolique  en  Amerique  residant  H  ^ondres  11 
pst  de  notre  inferret  de  nommer  ,\  cette  place  une  personne  qui  nuisse 
denieurerdansles  Etats  Unis." 
'  Jlfrr.  de  Cice  to  Vergennes,  Decemlwr  -.'7,  1783. 


ACTION  OF  CONGRESS. 


217 


contained  no  Catholic  member,  Daniel  Carroll's  term  of  three 
years  having  just  expired,  and  Thomas  Fitzsinions,  the  Cath- 
olic member  fiom  Pennsylvania,  having  resigned  his  seat. 
The  reply  of  Congress  was  made  without  the  knowledge  of 
the  Catholic  body  and  on  no  representation  of  their  position 
and  wants.  The  determination  of  Congress  was  not  guided 
hv  those  Catholic  gentlemen,  who  would  have  indignantly 
exposed  the  attempt  of  intriguing  men  to  force  an  alien 
Superior  on  the  Church  in  this  country  after  slandering  the 
Catholics  and  their  clergy. 

On  the  11th  of  May,  1784,  as  we  read  in  the  "Secret 
Journals  of  the  Acts  and  Proceedings  of  Congress,"  it  was 
"  Resolved,  That  doctor  Franklin  be  desired  to  notify  to  the 
apostolical  nuncio  at  Versailles,  that  Congi-ess  will  always  be 
pleased  to  testify  their  respect  to  his  sovereign  and  state  ;  but 
tiiat  the  subject  of  his  application  to  doctor  Franklin,  being 
purely  spiritual,  it  is  without  the  jurisdiction  and  powers  of 
Congress,  who  have  no  authority  to  permit  cr  refuse  it,  these 
powers  being  reserved  to  the  several  states  individually."  ' 

I^lean while  information  of  the  French  intrigue  reached  the 
former  English  associates  of  the  American  missionaries.  The 
Rev.  Charles  Plowden  at  once  wrote  to  Dr.  Franklin,  and 
the  Rev,  ]\Iessrs,  Sewall  and  Mattingly,  natives  of  Maryland, 
then  in  England,  also  wrote  to  that  American  minister,  "  to 
expose  to  him  the  degree  of  respect  and  consideration  due  to 
the  missionaries  now  in  America,  and  to  desire  that  no  pro- 
])osals  might  be  admitted  without  the  participation  and  con- 
sent of  you  in  particular,"  wrote  Rev,  Mr.  Plowden  to  Dr. 
Carroll,  "  and  of  the  other  missioners  and  the  principal  Cath- 
olic gentry  in  the  country."  " 


'  "  Secret  .Journal  of  Congress, '  Boston,  1821.  vol.  iii..  p.  493. 
'  Rev.  Charles  Plowden  to  Rev.  John  Carroll,  September  2,  1T84,  in 
10 


218 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


The  information  thus  given  uinst  have  opened  the  eyes  of 
Dr.  Franklin,  and  as  he  had  formed  a  liigh  estimate  of  Eev. 
Mr.  Carroll  during  the  mission  to  Canada,  he  must  have  felt 
not  a  little  chagrined  to  find  himself  made  even  indirectly 
the  medium  of  impeaching  the  loyalty  of  the  Carrolls  and 
other  patriotic  American  CathoHcs,  priests  and  laymen.  It  is 
certain  that  he  at  once  determined  that  sound  policy  required 
him  to  favor  the  appointment  of  an  American  missionary  as 
Superior  of  the  Catholics  in  the  United  States,  and  he  cer- 
tainly from  this  time  exerted  all  his  influence  to  press  the 
ai)pointment  of  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll,  to  whose  qualiiications  he 
could  bring  the  testimony  of  personal  knowledge  and  daily  in- 
tercourse for  a  considerable  period.' 

Barbd  Marbois  soon  wrote  that  the  project  of  nominating 
a  P>ench  priest  must  be  abandoned,  but  his  imputations  on 
the  loyalty  of  Catholics  have  remained  in  the  diplomatic  rec- 
ords, without  a  line  to  justify  the  maligned  Catholics. 

The  only  result  was,  apparently,  that,  whereas  the  clergy 
in  the  United  States  had  in  the  first  instance  solicited  the 
confirmation  of  Rev.  Mr.  Lewis  as  Superior,  and  subsequent- 
ly permission  to  choose  a  Superior,  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  de- 
termined to  act  "  proprio  motu,"  and  selected  an  American, 
as  least  likely  to  excite  remonstrance. 


'  u.  a. 


B.  U.  Campbell's  "  Life  and  Times  of  Archbishop  Carroll." 
Catholic  Magazine,"  iii.,  p.  376. 

"  Nothing,"  wrote  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll,  "can  place  in  a  stronger  light  the 
aversion  to  tlie  remains  of  the  Society,  than  the  observation  made  by  you 
of  a  negotiation  being  carried  on,  relative  to  the  affairs  of  religion,  with 
Dr.  Franklin,  without  ever  deigning  to  apply  for  information  to  the 
Catholic  clergy  in  this  country."  .  .  .  .  "  When  I  first  heard  that  the 
Nuncio  w!is  treating  with  my  old  friend.  Dr.  Franklin,  I  had  thous;hts 
of  writing  to  him,  and  should  certainly  have  done  it,  had  I  not  been 
afraid  of  placing  myself  in  a  conspicuous  point  of  view."— Letter  to  Rev. 

C.  Plowden   September  15.  1784. 

'  Rev.  John  Carroll  to  Rev.  Mr.  Thorpe,  February  17,  1785. 


i 


THE  FRENCH  INTRIGUE. 


219 


During  all  this  proceeding,  the  Catholic  clergy  and  people  in 
tlio  United  States  were  not  only  not  consulted,  but  were  kept 
in  profound  ignorance  of  the  intrigue.  Hints  of  it  at  last 
reached  them  from  friends  in  Europe.  Rev.  Cliarles  Plow- 
den  wrote :  "  There  are  certainly  some  oblique  views,  most 
probably  directed  to  the  property  of  the  American  mission, 
and  to  the  obtaining  superiority  over  the  missionaries.  The 
note  delivered  to  the  Nuncio  proves  their  wish  to  exclude 
every  Jesuit  from  trust  or  honor ;  and  equally  betrays  the 
puliey  of  the  French  ministry  ('  the  nation  most  friendly  to 
Congress ')  who  by  bringing  forward  a  Frenchman,  or  per- 
haps an  Irish  Frenchman,  would  use  religion  as  an  instru- 
ment to  increase  their  own  influence  in  America."  ' 

The  question  of  the  appointment  of  a  Bishop  before  the 
Revolution  had  excited  fears  among  the  clergy  in  America, 
who  naturally  dreaded  an  appointment  made  on  the  nomi- 
nation of  the  Cardinal,  Dnke  of  York ;  at  the  present  crisis, 
a  nomination  through  the  influence  of  the  French  court, 
where  a  pretended  philosophy  was  sapping  all  religious  faith, 
seemed  fraught  with  still  greater  danger  to  the  future  of  the 
Church  in  the  United  States. 

France  as  a  government  at  that  time  had  no  pretext  what- 
ever for  intermeddling  in  the  afifairs  of  the  Catholic  Church 
in  the  United  States.  While  aiding  the  insurgent  colonies  in 
their  struggle  for  freedom,  she  had  done  absolutely  nothing 
for  the  Catholic  body.     There  is  no  trace  up  to  this  time  of 

'Letter  to  Rev.  .Tobn  Carroll,  September  21,  1784.  "  U.  8.  Catli. 
JIaij.,"  iii.,  p.  376.  It  seems  to  me  from  a  study  of  the  whole  matter, 
iliat  it  was  simply  a  petty  intrigue  of  Barbe  Marbois,  to  effect  the  nomi- 
nation of  some  French  priest  to  the  projected  Vicariate.  Barbe  Marbois, 
August  15,  1784,  wrote  to  Rayneval :  "Above  all  things,  I  believL' we 
ought  not  to  think  of  making  the  choice  fall  upon  a  French  priest." 
Wlien  he  found  that  the  Catholic  clergy  were  in  communication  with  the 
Pope,  he  gave  the  matter  up. 


I!-     .iJn 


mn 


220 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


any  aid  given  in  erecting  churches,  or  supplying  them  with 
priests,  plate,  vestments,  or  books. 

The  chaplains  of  the  French  embassy,  army,  and  fleet  made 
no  exertion  to  obtain  additional  priests  for  Catholics  here,  and 
apparently  rendered  very  slight  service  to  the  Catholics  scat- 
tered through  States  which  they  entered.  The  use  made  of 
Father  La  Motte  in  Maine  was  more  political  than  religious, 
and  the  work  of  the  Abbe  Robin,  a  chaplain  in  Rochambeau's 
army,  shows  more  of  the  weak  sentimentality  made  fashion- 
able by  the  encyclopaedists,  than  a  robust  Catholic  faith. 

Many  of  the  French  officers  were  open  adherents  of  that 
school,  and  harmonized  with  the  deistical  American  public 
men :  Masonic  lodges  were  established  in  the  French  camp, 
and  many  officers  enrolled. 

The  Catholics  in  the  United  States  who  in  their  religious 
capacity  had  received  no  sympathy  or  aid  from  France,  did 
not  dream  of  any  sudden  interest  in  their  aflairs.  But  the 
schemes  and  plans  failed.  The  matter  had  been  considered 
at  an  early  day  in  the  councils  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff 
Pope  Pius  VI. 

The  same  Providence  which,  by  what  seemed  its  death- 
blow, saved  the  Church  in  Canada  from  being  involved  in 
the  whirlpool  of  the  French  revolution,  directed  the  councils 
of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff,  Pius  VI.,  and  saved  the  Church  in 
the  United  States  at  this  juncture.  It  was  not  ambitious  ab- 
bes of  the  French  court  who  were  to  influence  the  Church  in 
the  United  States,  but  priests  tried  in  the  tire  of  persecution, 
who  met  exile  as  their  heroic  brethren  met  the  axe  rather 
than  palter  with  schism  and  infidelity. 

Wlien  the  Memorial  of  the  priests  in  America  was  laid  be- 
fore him,  Pope  Pius  VI.,  enlightened  by  means  of  which  we 
do  not  fully  know,  decided  on  a  course  of  action,  and  it  was 
in  i)erfect  accord  with  the  wishes  of  the  Catholics  in  Ameri- 


THE  NUNCIO'S  LETTER. 


221 


ea,  tlioagb  it  was  inspired  by  higher  hopes  and  pointed  to  a 
more  glorious  future,  than  any  here  then  dared  to  imagine. 

The  Memorial  of  the  American  clergy  was  referred  to  the 
Congregation  de  Propaganda  Fide,  and  the  Cardinal  Prefect 
seems  to  have  sought  further  information  in  regard  to  the 
position  of  the  Church,  as  appears  by  the  following  letter 
which  the  Nuncio  addressed  to  the  Rev.  John  Carroll : 

"Paris,  May  12th,  1784. 

"The  interests  of  religion,  Sir,  requiring  new  arrange- 
ments relative  to  the  missions  in  the  United  States  of  North 
America,  the  Congregation  of  the  Propaganda  direct  me  to 
recjuest  from  you  a  full  statement  of  the  actual  condition  of 
those  missions.  In  the  meantime,  I  beg  you  will  inform  me 
what  number  of  missionaries  may  be  necessary  to  serve  them, 
and  furnish  spiritual  aid  to  Catholic  Christians  in  the  United 
States;  in  what  provinces  there  are  Catholics,  and  where 
there  is  the  greatest  number  of  them  ;  and  lastly,  if  there  are 
among  the  natives  of  the  country,  fit  subjects  to  receive  holy 
orders,  and  exercise  the  functions  of  missionaries.  You  will 
greatly  oblige  me  personally,  by  the  attention  and  industry 
which  you  will  exercise  in  procuring  for  me  this  information. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  esteem  and  consideration, 
Sir,  your  very  humble  and  oljedient  servant, 

"  >i>  J.  Archbishop  of  Seleucia, 
"  Apostolical  Nuncio. 
"  To  Rev.  John  Carroll,  Maryland." 

With  it  was  the  following 

"  EXTRACT  OF   A   MEMORANDITM. 

"1.  To  have  exact  statements  of  the  conduct  and  capacity 
of  the  ecclesiastics  and  missionaries  who  are  in  the  different 


993 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


States  of  North  America :  wlio  among  them  might  be  the 
most  worthy,  and  at  the  same  time,  agreeable  to  the  members 
of  the  assembly  of  those  provinees  to  be  invested  with  the 
character  of  bishop  in  partibus,  and  the  qnality  of  Vicar- 
Apostolic.  It  is  thought  that  it  will  be  convenient  for  him 
to  tix  his  residence  where  there  is  the  greatest  number  of 
Catholics. 

"  2.  If  among  these  ecclesiastics  there  is  a  native  of  the 
country,  and  he  should  be  among  the  most  worthy,  he  should 
be  preferred  to  all  others  of  ecpial  merit.  If  otherwise, 
choice  should  be  made  of  one  from  some  other  nation.  In 
default  of  a  missionary  actually  residing  in  those  provinces,  a 
Frenchman  will  be  nominated,  who  will  go  to  establish  him- 
self in  America,  in  the  State  above  designated. 

"  H.  To  know  the  probable  number  of  the  ecclesiastics  and 
missionaries,  as  well  as  how  nuuiy  that  of  the  Catholics  in  the 
different  States,  and  their  standing  would  render  necessarv  ; 
we  think  that  it  is  in  Pennsylvania  and  INIaryland  there  is 
the  greatest  number— it  would  be  to  the  purpose  to  know  if 
there  are  also  any  in  the  other  States. 

"  4.  To  know  whether  there  are  schools  in  these  States 
where  Latin  is  taught ;  such  that  the  young  men  of  the  coun- 
try who  might  wish  to  jirepare  for  the  ecclesiastical  state 
could  study  their  humanities,  before  passing  to  France  or 
Kome,  there  to  enter  at  once  on  their  philo8oi)hical  and  the- 
ological studies."  ' 

But  the  Sacred  Congregation  did  not  await  any  reply  to 
this  correspondence  of  the  Nuncio  at  Paris.  The  reports  of 
Bishops  Challoner  and  Tall)ot  in  their  own  archives,  and  the 
jiajK'rs  of  the  English  province  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  af- 


'  Campbell,  "  Life  and  Times  of  Arcbblsbop  Carroll ";  "  U.  S.  Catb 
Mag.,"iii.,  p.  378. 


APPOINTMENT  OF  A  PREFECT-APOSTOLIC.   223 

tordod  a  far  clearer  klea  of  the  comlitioii  of  the  Church  in 
the  United  States  than  these  documents  implied.  There 
wore  clergymen  in  Rome  who  couhl  give  information  as  to 
till'  qualitications  of  all  the  priests  in  Maryland  and  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  Secretary  of  the  Congregation  de  Propaganda 
Fide,  in  an  audience  on  the  0th  of  June,  1784,  presented  to 
liis  Holiness,  Pope  Pius  VI.,  a  report  on  the  Church  in  the 
United  States,  and  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  ratified  the  appoint- 
ment of  Rev.  John  Carroll  as  Superior  of  the  Mission  in  the 
Thirteen  United  States  of  North  America,  and  conferred 
ujxin  hini  power  to  administer  the  Sacramenf  of  Confirma- 
tion during  his  Superiorship. 

It  is  strange  so  much  effort  was  required,  and  so  many  dif- 
ficulties prevented  tlie  Catholic  body  in  the  United  States 
with  their  ancient  churches,  and  regular  succession  of  ])riests, 
from  obtaining  a  concession  which  had  through  the  influence 
of  Spain  been  granted  to  Dr.  Camps  for  his  little  fiock  in 
Florida,  to  the  Superior  of  the  Franciscans  in  New  Mexico, 
and  about  this  very  time  to  the  Superiors  of  the  same  order 
in  Texas  and  California. 

The  decree  organizing  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  United 
States  as  a  distinct  body,  and  appointing  the  Very  Rev.  John 
Carroll,  Prefect-Apostolic,  was  issued  by  Cardinal  Antonelli, 
Prefect  of  the  Sacred  Congregation  de  Propaganda  Fide,  on 
the  9th  of  June,  1784. 

The  official  documents  were  transmitted  through  the  Apos- 
tolic Nuncio  at  Paris,  who,  on  the  1st  of  July,  called  upon 
Dr.  F'ranklin  and  acquainted  him  that  the  Pope  had  on  his 
roconmiendation  appointed  Mr.  Carroll,  Superior  of  the  Cath- 
olic Clei'gy  in  America,  and  stated  that  he  would  probably 
be  made  a  bishop  before  the  end  of  the  year.' 


'  Sparks,  "  Life  and  Writings  of  Franklin,"  i.,  p.  581. 


..  til 


224 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


m 


The  decree  of  the  Cougregiition  de  Propagiifi<la  Fide  wiw 
ill  this  form  : 

"  Tlie  yacred  Congregation  on  the  report  of  the  Rev. 
Stei)hen  liorgia,  its  8ecretarj,  declared  Superior  of  the  mis- 
sions in  the  thirteen  United  States  of  North  America,  the 
Rev.  John  Carroll,  Kccular  priest,  with  authority  to  exercise 
the  functions  which  regard  the  government  of  the  missions, 
according  to  the  tenor  of  the  decrees  of  the  Sacred  Congre- 
gation, and  of  the  faculties  granted  to  him,  and  not  otherwise, 
nor  in  a  different  manner. 

"  Given  at  Rome  the  9th  day  of  June,  1784. 
"  S.  Borgia.  L.  Cakdinal  Antojjeuj,  Pkefect." 


FAC-8IMILE  OP  SIGJfATCRE  OP  CARDINAL  ANTONELLI. 

"xVudience  of  the  Most  Holy  Father,  held  June  C,  1784. 

"  Our  ;^^ost  Iloly  Father,  hy  divine  Providence,  Pojie 
Pius  VI.,  on  the  report  of  the  undersigned,  secretary  o.'  .he 
Sacred  Congregation  de  Propaganda  Fide,  granted  to  the 
Rev.  John  Carroll,  Superior  of  the  Mission  in  the  thirteen 
Fnitt'd  States  of  Xorth  America,  the  faculty  of  administering 
the  sacrament  of  Confirmation,  in  tiie  said  provinces  during 
his  superiorshij) — the  said  faculty  to  he  exercised  in  accord- 
ance with  the  rules  prescribed  in  the  instruction  published 
by  order  of  the  Congregation  on  the  4th  of  Afay,  1784. 

"  Given  at  Rome  in  the  house  of  the  Congregation,  on  the 
day  and  year  above  named. 

"  Stephen-  Borgia,  Secretary  of  the 

Sacred  Congregation  de  prop,  fide." 


END  OF  ENGLISH  JURISDICTION. 


22/5 


To  remove  nil  doubt  as  to  hiw  jiiriHilk'tioii,  Ciirdiiml  Aut(v 
nolli,  on  tlie  lOtlj  of  June,  addresHud  a  letter  to  Ki^ht  Rev. 
James  Talbot,  I). I).,  Ulnliop  of  liirtha,  Vicar-Aporttoiic;  of 
tliu  London  DiHtrict,  informing  him  that  on  the  petition  of 
tlie  Catholic  nuHsionaries  in  the  United  States,  Iuh  IloIinesH 
had  appointed  the  Rev.  John  Carroll,  a  man  of  tried  i)iety 
and  zeal,  and  invested  him  with  necessary  and  seasonable 
fiiculties,  in(lei)endent  of  any  other  ecclesiastical  authority 
except  the  Sacred  Congregation,  and  that  his  IIolineHs  in- 
tended at  the  earliest  possible  moment  to  establish  a  liishoj) 
or  Vicar-Ai)ostolic  in  that  country.  The  Cardinal  Prefect 
notifies  Bishop  Talbot,  as  the  one  to  whom  the  s])iritual  care 
of  those  Catholics  had  been  previously  confided,  expressing 
the  hope  that  he  will  cordially  approve  the  step,' 

Thus  ended  by  an  official  act  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Vicar- 
Apostolic  of  London  over  the  Catholics  in  the  United  States, 
which  had  been  exercised  for  about  a  century  till  the  war 
began,  and  I'ishop  Talbot  disclaimed  all  authority  in  this 
portion  of  America. 

It  was  apparently  overlooked  at  the  time  that  parts  of  the 
United  States,  the  Catholic  Indians  in  Maine,  the  Canadians 
in  Northern  New  York,  and  the  country  northwest  of  the 
Ohio,  were  still  to  be  regarded  as  within  his  diocese  by  the 
Bishop  of  Quebec,  and  that  the  Natchez  district  also  had 
been  taken  from  the  British  during  the  war,  and  reannexed 
to  Louisiana,  so  that  the  services  of  religion  bad  been  restored 
there  by  priests  of  the  diocese  of  Santiago  de  Cuba. 

While  the  organization  of  the  Catholic  body  in  the  United 
States  was  engaging  the  attention  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff, 
the  Rev.  John  Carroll  had  found  it  necessary  to  come  before 


'  Cnrdlnnl  Antonulli  to  Bishop  Talbot,  Juuu  19,  1784 ;  Archives  of 
Archbishop  of  Westminster. 
10* 


1 

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i 

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'  -  if   . 

vM:i 

8S6 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


the  Amcric'iin  piihlic  as  an  aiH)l<)^iHt  for  the  Catholic  faith, 
aud  a  (loft'iuler  of  itH  polity  and  dootrino. 

The  Kev.  Charli's  IK-nry  Wharton,  a  native  of  Maryhnid, 
and  a  ini'nilK,'r  of  the  Sofiety  of  Je«nH,  till  the  hrief  of  P„,„' 
Clement  XIV.  diHHolved  that  religiouH  order,  had  while  actinjr 
an  chaplain  of  the  Catholic  congregation  in  Worcewter,  Eiig- 
land,  accpiired  repntation  there  and  in  his  native  country  l»y 
a  "  Poetical   p:piHtle  to  IiIk  Excellency  (teorg-.'  Wiwhington, 
Esq.'"     In  17M  he  renigned  his  charge  in  England  and  re- 
turned to  America,  where  donhtH  as  to  his  orthodoxy  and 
even  of  his  Ixjlief  in  Christianity  had  preceded  him,  for  he 
was  reported  to  have  been  an  associate  of  Hawkins,  a  priest 
who  had  openly  apostatized  and  to  have  himself  renounced 
the  faith  and  priestlu.od  in  letters  to  Worcester.     Rev.  Uv. 
Wharton  brought  no  faculties  from  any  Bishop  in  England, 
and  made  no  attempt  to  e.xercise  the  functions  of  the  priest- 
hood.    I Te  took  up  his  residence  with  his  brother  on  an  estate 
belonging  to  tliem,  and  paid  a  visit  to  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll,  who 
seemed  to  forni  a  favorable  opinion  of  him.'     He  remained 
there  till  the  following  year,  when  he  proceeded  to  Philadel- 
phia, and  printed  '•  A  Letter  to  the  Koman  Catholics  of  the 
City  of  Worcester  from  the  late  chaplain  of  that  Society, 
stating  the  motives  which  induced  him  to  relinquish  their 
Communion,    and    become   a    member  of    the    Protestant 
Church."     Skilfully  written  by  a  nuin   already  favorably 
known,  the  pamphlet  attracted  attention  in  this  country  and 
in  England,  wliere  it  was  speedily  reprinted.     He  circulated 
it  widely  in  Maryland,  and  it  found  many  readers. 

It  opened  by  describing  liimself  as  troubled  in  conscience 


'  Printed  at  Annapolis,  1770;  Keiirintcd.  London,  1780;  Springfield 

Mass..  1782. 

J  Rev.  J.  Carroll  to  Rev.  C.  Bowden,  September  26.  1783 ;  April  10. 
1784. 


THE  WHARTON  lONTROVEKSY. 


•327 


by  tho  dogmu,  that  «»ut  of  the  (!liurfh  there  wan  no  Halvatioii. 
Iliivirg  rejected  thiw  dogtiiii.  dniihtH  hej^an  to  ariHe  as  to  othem 
nearly  connected  with  it.  lie  .k-precutes  the  idea  that  lie  was 
iiitlurnced  hy  the  alUireinctitH  .f  pleaHur*',  althoiijith  he  admits 
that  for  Home  time  he  liad  cu.iHidered  tlie  law  of  ceHlmcy  an  a 
cruel  UHurimtion  of  tho  iiialieiiahle  rij^ditH  of  mitiiro,  and  then 
he  proceeds  to  attack  Transulmtaiitiatioii  and  Infallihiiity. 
With  a  8how  of  learne«l  investigation,  liis  tract  was  really 
hased  on  well-known  Protestant  works  of  controversy,  and 
repeated  many  false  and  garbled  cpiotations. 

The  defence  of  the  truth  could  not  employ  the  same  arts,  it 
could  indulge  in  no  high-flown  rhetoric  or  specious  reasoning. 
To  expose  and  refute  tho  arguments,  recpiired  examination  of 
the  authors  cited,  and  no  great  liltrary  was  possessed  l»y  the 
Catholic  clergy  at  that  time.  To  the  extensive  collections  of 
hooks  then  in  the  country,  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll  found  it  difficult 
to  obtain  access  personally  or  througli  friends.'  But  even 
with  his  limited  resources  he  prepared  a  reply  which  met 
every  charge  of  the  unfortunate  man.  Dr.  Carroll's  work, 
••  An  Address  to  the  Roman  Catholics  of  tho  United  States 
of  America.  By  a  Catholic  Clergyman,"  was  printed  at  An- 
napt>lis  by  Frederick  Green  in  17«4,  and  forms  a  pamphlet 
of  11  (>  pagct>.' 

Like  all  Dr.  Carroll's  writings,  it  had  a  peculiar  dignity 
and  equanimity,  was  free  from  all  acerbity  and  harshness : 
and  was  admirably  fitted  to  exercise  a  beneficial  influence  on 
the  public  mind.  In  one  point  he  had  a  peculiar  advantage. 
Mr.  Wharton,  who  had  chosen  to  remain  in  England  during 

'  LettcTH  of  Rev.  Mr.  Molyneux  to  Rev.  John  Carroll,  cit«(l  in  "  U.  S. 
Cntii.  .Mag.,"  ill,  p.  664,  etc. 

•'  Wharton's  pamphlet  was  reprinted  in  London  in  1784  ;  and  of  Rev. 
Dr.  Cnrroll's  nn  edition  was  isHucd  in  the  same  city,  but  with  unwarruut- 
able  notes :  followed  by  a  correct  edition  at  Worceater  in  1785. 


H  ■'■■* 


'  t'] 


228 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


the  struggle,  could  not  impeach  the  loyalty  of  the  Catholic 
clergy  and  people  of  America,  and  his  anonymous  poem  to 
George  Wasliiiigton  did  not  i)lace  him  on  a  par  with  Dr. 
Carroll,  who  came  back  at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution 
to  share  his  country's  fortunes,  and  who  had  at  her  call  pro- 
ceeded  to  Canada  to  advance  her  interests. 

The  tone  of  Dr.  Carroll  toward  his  unhappy  relative  was 
courteous,  but  showed  his  pain  and  sorrow.  "Of  all  con- 
siderations," he  writes,  "  the  most  painful  was,  that  I  had  to 
combat  him,  with  whom  I  had  Iteen  connected  in  an  inter- 
course of  friendship  and  mutual  good  offices;  and  in  coiniec- 
tion  with  whom  I  hoped  to  have  consmmnated  my  course  of 
our  common  ministry  in  the  service  of  virtue  and  religion. 
But  when  I  found  these  expectations  disappointed,  when  I 
found  that  he  not  only  had  abandoned  our  faith  and  com- 
munion, but  had  imputed  to  us  doctrines  foreign  to  our  be- 
lief, and  having  a  natural  tendency  to  embitter  against  ns 
the  minds  of  our  fellow-citizens,  I  felt  an  anguish  too  keen 
for  description  ;  and  perhaps  the  chaplain  will  experience  a 
similar  sentiment  when  he  comes  coolly  to  reflect  on  this  in- 
stance of  his  conduct.  It  did  not  become  the  friend  of  tol- 
eration to  misinform  and  sow  in  minds  so  misinformed  the 
seeds  of  religious  animosity. 

"  Under  all  these  distressful  feelings,  one  consideration  alone 
relieved  me  in  writing;  and  that  was  the  hope  of  vindicating 
your  religion  to  your  own  selves  at  least,  and  preserving  the 
steadfastness  of  your  faith.  But  even  this  jjrospect  should 
not  have  induced  me  to  engage  in  the  controversy,  if  I  coidd 
fear  that  it  would  disturb  the  harmony  now  subsisting 
amongst  all  Christians  in  this  country,  so  blessed  with  civil 
and  religious  liberty;  which,  if  we  have  the  wisdom  and 
temper  to  preserve,  America  may  come  to  exhibit  a  proof  to 
the  world,  that  general  and  equal  toleration,  l)y  giving  a  free 


THE  WHARTON  CONTROVERSY. 


229 


circulation  to  fair  argument,  is  the  most  effectual  method  to 
l)ring  all  denominations  of  Christians  to  an  unity  of  faith." 

As  Mr.  Wharton  himself  raised  the  question  by  denying 
that  sensuality  had  influenced  him.  Dr.  Carroll  said:  "I 
must  entreat  him  with  an  earnestness  suggested  by  the  mo«t 
perfect  good-will  and  zealous  regard  for  his  welfare  to  con- 
sider the  sanctity  of  the  solemn  and  deliberate  engagement, 
which  at  an  age  of  perfect  maturity  he  contracted  with  Al- 
mighty God.  I  pray  him  to  read  the  two  exhortations  of  that 
enlightened  doctor  St.  Chrysostom  to  his  friend  Theodorus, 
who  like  the  Chaplain,  liad  renounced  his  former  state,  in 
which  by  a  vow  of  celibacy  he  had  consecrated  himself  to 
Almighty  God." 

Dr.  Carroll  begins  by  refuting  the  charge  that  ignorance 
results  from  the  genius  of  the  Catholic  religion,  and  ref utt 
by  the  arguments  even  of  Protestants  his  claim  that  Catho- 
lics cannot  make  an  impartial  examination  of  their  faith. 
Then  he  takes  up  the  point  on  which  Wharton  laid  most 
stress,  the  claim  that  "  the  Roman  Church  is  the  mother  and 
mistress  of  all  churches,  and  that  of  her  communion  no  salva- 
tion can  be  obtained."     He  shows  distinctly  that  this  is  not 
asserted  in  tl.e  Creed  of  Pope  Pius  IV.,  to  which  Wharton 
referred,  and  that  Catholic  theologians  did  not  limit  salva- 
tion to  those  in  communion  with  the  Church.     "  The  mem- 
bers of  the   Catholic   Church  are   all   those,  who  with  a 
sincere  heart  seek  true  religion,  and  are  in  an  unfeigned  dis- 
position to  embrace  the  truth  whenever  they  find  it.     Now 
it  never  was  our  doctrine,  that  salvation  can  be  obtained  only 
by  'those  actually  in  tlie  connnunion  of  the  church,'  united 
in  the  profession  of  her  faith  and  the  participation  of  her 
sacraments,  through  the  ministry  and  government  of  her  law- 
ful pastors." 

He  shows  that  the  Catholic  doctrine  is  free  fron  unchari- 


1 


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230 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


tableness  and  liable  to  none  of  the  charges  alleged  by  Whar- 
ton. He  appealed  to  the  religious  comnuinities  entirely  de- 
voted to  the  relief  of  human  misery,  as  well  as  to  individual 
W(.rks,  to  prove  that  Catholic  doctrine  does  not,  as  Wharton 
asserted,  "  chill  by  early  infusions  of  bigotry  the  warm  feel- 
ings of  benevolence."  He  appealed  to  the  work  of  those  re- 
ligious orders  by  which  even  Protestant  nations  profited, 
whose  chief  work  was  the  redemption  of  captives  from  the 
piratical  States  of  Barbary.' 

He  showed  how,  in  a  controversy  with  a  Deist,  Wharton's 
own  arguments  would  be  used  against  himself ;  and  that  if 
all  religious  truth  is  to  be  tested  by  indivithial  senses  and  un- 
derstanding, the  man  who  rejects  the  Scriptures  or  the  whole 
scheme  of  Christianity  can  justify  his  course  by  that  test,  as 
fully  as  he  assumed  to  do. 

Wharton's  argument  against  the  infallibility  of  the  Church 
he  shows  to  be  sophistical,  making  our  Lord's  promise  that 
the  gates  of  hell  should  not  ])revail  against  His  (Miurch  to 
mean  sinq^ly  that  the  great  and  essential  tenets  of  the  Ajws- 
tles'  Creed  should  never  be  lost,  as  though  the  Church  and 
ihe  tenets  of  the  Creed  were  one  and  the  same.     He  shows 
the  weakness  of  the  arguments  adduced  to  explain  away  the 
other  texts  cited  to  sujiport  the  infallibility  of  the  Church, 
by  giving  them  not  their  clear  and  evident  meaning,  but  a 
construction  of  his  own.     He  shows  how  the  Chuieh  from 
the  apostles'  time  has  always  exercised  the  authority  of  de- 
ciding controverted  ])oints,  and  that  whoever  refused  submis- 
sion was  cast  out  from  the  Church.    "  The  Church  has  always, 
from  the  first  era  of  Christianity,  exercised  the  right  of  judg- 


'  TIk'  United  States  Oovcrnnicnt  in  eiirly  days  sent  money  tlironirli  tlie 
Orders  for  tlie  Redemption  of  Captives  to  rescue  American  citizens  in 
tlie  Harbary  States. 


THE  WHARTON  CONTROVERSY. 


231 


iiig  iu  matters  of  faith,  and  requiring  obedience  to  her  deci- 
sions ;  the  monuments  attesting  it  are  certain  and  visible. 
Tlie  exercise  of  such  a  right  without  infallibiUty  would  be 
vain  and  nugatory  ;  therefore  she  is  infallible."  The  Cath- 
olic taking  his  faith  and  the  Scriptures  alike  on  the  authority 
of  the  Church  iinds  them  to  harmonize,  and  requires  no 
forced  construction  of  the  words  of  Holy  Writ  to  sustain  his 
belief  ;  he  takes  the  very  words  as  they  are. 

Wharton  cited  as  errors  into  which  the  Church  of  Eome 
had  fallen,  Transubstantiation,  Purgatory,  Auricular  Confes- 
sion, and  the  Power  of  loosing  and  binding,  doctrines  not 
taught  in  Scripture  or  delivered  in  them  witl^  the  greatest 
obscurity.     Dr.  Carroll  at  once  met  the  point  here  assumed 
by  Wharton,  as  by  many  others  without  proof,  that  the 
Clmrch  can  teach  nothing  that  is  not  explicitly  laid  down  in 
the  Scriptures.    Dr.  Carroll  put  the  question  squarely.    "  He 
knows,  that  we  (Catholics)  have  always  asserted,  that  the 
whole  word  of  God,  unwritten  as  well  as  written,  is  the 
Christian's  rule  of  faith.     It  was  incumbent  then  on  him, 
before  he  discarded  this  rule,  to  prove  either  that  no  more 
was  revealed,  than  is  written  ;  or  that  revealed  doctrines  de- 
rive their  claim  to  our  belief,  not  from  God's  infallible  testi- 
mony, but  from  their  being  reduced  to  writing.     He  has  not 
attempted  this ;  and  I  will  venture  to  say,  he  would  have 
attempted  it  in  vain,  even  wi.h  the  assistance  of  his  Chilling- 
worth,"  .  .  .  .  "  But  if  the  testimony  and  tradition  of  the 
Catholic  Church  is  to  be  necessarily  admitted  for  receiving 
the  Scripture  itself,  which,  according  to  him,  is  the  sole 
standard,  the  only  rule  of  Protestant  belief,  why  is  her  testi- 
mony to  be  rejected,  when  offered  in  evidence  of  other  points 
of  fiiith  ?     Why  not  as  well  admit  it  in  favor  of  transubstan- 
tiation and  purgatory,  as  of  the  lawfulness  of  infant  baptism, 
of  the  validity  of  baptism  administered  by  heretics,  of  the 


'  'ft*  y 

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A    ^   (   *  '  Iff. 


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232 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


obligation  of  abstaining  on  Sundays  from  servile  works,  &c'. 
Scripture  authority  for  these  and  other  points  admitted  by 
Protestants,  there  is  certainly  none."     Wharton  had  cited 
two  passages  from  St.  Chrysostom  ;  Dr.  Carroll  showed  tlmt 
the  first  of  these  was  not  from  St.  John  at  all,  but  from  mi 
unknown  writer,  who  had  evidently  adopted  the  Manioha'aii, 
Montanist,  and  Arian  heresies.     The  second  passage  had  no 
reference  to  the  rule  of  faith.     The  holy  Doctor,  answering 
those  who  wished  to  explain  away  the  words  of  Scripture 
against  riches,  says  that  they  ought  to  be  disregarded,  and  all 
these  things  be  estimated  by  the  rule  of  Scriptui-e.    This  was 
not  at  all  declaring  that  no  man  is  to  believe  anything  that 
he  cannot  find  explicitly  laid  down  in  Scripture,  and  Dr. 
Carroll  turned  against  Wharton  his  admission  that  those  who 
were  unqualified  to  enter  upon  a  critical  inquiry  as  to  the 
texts,  meaning,  and  harmony  of  Scripture,  "  must  rely  piiii- 
eipally  upon  the  authority  of  their  teachers."     "After  exalt- 
ing private  judgment  as  the  sole  interpreter  of  Scripture,  he 
is  obliged  to  confess,  that  the  generality  of  mankind  must  be 
guided  in  religious  matters  principally  by  the  authority  of 
their  teachers,  for  he  will  hardly  deny  that  the  generality  of 
mankind  are  neither  by  education,  or  abilities,  or  leisure, 
qualified  to  enter  upon  the  inquiries  necessary  to  judge  for 
themselves.     Did  Jesus  Christ  then  leave  a  rule  of  faith  so 
inadequate,  as  not  to  be  capable  of  application  to  much  the 
largest  portion  of  mankind  i "     The  Catholic  Church  has  and 
has  always  had  its  body  of  teachers.     "  It  is  as  certain  that 
the  apostles  appointed  other  pastors  to  succeed  them,  as  it  is 
that  they  founded  churches.     The  actual  pastors  then  of 
these  churches  descending  in  a  lawful  and  unbroken  line  of 
succession  frotn  them,  are  certainly  sent  by  the  apostles  and 
by  Christ  himself,  since  thoce  churches  have  always  subsisted 
and  still  subsist." 


FATHER  ARTHUR  O'LEARY. 


283 


He  then  maintained  that  as  the  Scripture  alone  is  not  a 
•i-euoral  and  sutBcient  rule  of  faith,  he  might  well  contend 
IJiat  transubstantiation,  purgatory,  auricular  confession,  and 
the  power  of  absolving  are  to  be  received  as  Christian  doc- 
trines, on  the  authority  of  the  Church  ;  he  proceeds,  how- 
ever, to  consider  Wharton's  arguments  and  at  once  convicts 
hiiu  of  garbling  Bellarmine,  of  misquoting  the  Second  Coun- 
cil of  Nice,  and  similar  acts,  and  he  refuted  clearly  the  argu- 
iiieuts  against  the  Eeal  Presence,  Purgatory,  and  Sacramental 
Absolution. 

Though  Wharton's  tract  drew  out  replies  also  from  Rev. 
William  Pilling,  Rev.  Joseph  Berington,  and  Father  Arthur 
O'Loary,'  he  deemed  it  necessary  to  counteract  the  influence 
of  Dr.  Carroll's  work  :  and  issued  "A  Reply  to  the  Address 
t  >  the  Roman  Catholics  of  the  United  States  of  America," 
Pliiladelphia,  1785  :  but  it  was  labored  and  weak,  doing  little 
lo  strengthen  his  position. 

Father  Arthur  O'Leary,  in  his  reply  to  Wharton,  criticised 
a  note  of  Dr.  Carroll's  reflecting  on  Pope  Clement  XIV.  and 
his  suppression  of  the  Society  of  Jesus.  They  do  not  appear 
ever  to  have  met,  but  the  American  priest  and  the  brilliant 
Irish  Capuchin  were  correspondents.  In  one  of  his  letters 
Dv.  Carroll  wrote :  "  I  find  that  you  are  not  pleased  with  my 
note  on  the  late  Pope  ;  and  that  you  think  I  was  mistaken 
in  attributing  to  him  a  time-serving  poHcy.  Peace  to  his 
s])irit  and  may  God  have  mercy  on  his  scil,  but  whatever 
allowance  charity  may  wish  for  him,  the  pen  of  impartial 


'  "  A  Caveat  addressed  to  the  Catholics  of  Worcester  against  the  In- 
sinuating Letter  of  Mr.  Wliarton."  Ily  William  Pilling.  London,  1785, 
12ino,  pp.  100.  "  A  Keview  of  the  Important  Controversy  between  Dr. 
Carroll  and  the  Reverend  Messrs.  Wharton  and  Hawkins,  including  a 
Defense  of  the  Conduct  of  Pope  Clement  XIV.  (Ganganclli)  in  Suppress- 
ing a  Late  Religious  Order,"  etc.  By  the  Rev.  Arthur  O'Leary.  8vo, 
London,  1786,  pp.  94. 


pMfi 


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234 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


history  will  not  join  yon  and  Mr.  Pilling  in  attributing  to 
Lis  public  conduct  (and  to  that  the  destruction  of  the  Jesuits 
belongs)  the  virtue  of  benevolence.  You  think  that  your 
intimacy  with  the  good  Cardinal  de  Luines  gave  you  oppor- 
tunities of  information  which  I  had  not :  on  the  contrary,  I 
think  that  having  spent  in  Italy  the  two  years  immediately 
preceding  our  dissolution,  and  the  last  of  them  at  Rome ; 
and  mixing  in  all  companies,  and  not  being  much  with  my 
own  Brethren,  I  had  means  of  collecting  knowledge  which 
were  perhaps  wanting  to  Cardinal  de  Luines  himself  ;  and  I 
certainly  saw  repeated  instances  of  conduct,  which  upon  the 
coolest  and  most  unprejudiced  consideration  apjiear  irrecon- 
cilable, not  only  with  benevolence,  but  even  with  common 
humanity,  aiid  the  plainest  ])rinciples  of  juatice.  At  tho 
same  tinie  I  do  not  take  upoti  me  to  say  that  the  whdle 
weight  of  this  misconduct  fell  upon  the  Pope,  unless  it  be 
for  withdrawing  himself  totally  from  business  and  trustinc 
his  authority  to  men  who  so  shamefully  abused  it ;  I  hope 
you  v.'ill  excuse  this  liberty ;  your  writings  express  a  five 
soul ;  and  I  cannot  think  you  would  wish  me  to  dissemble 
the  feelings  of  mine.  But  though  I  communicate  them  to 
Mr.  O'Leary,  I  have  neither  and)ition  to  make  them  i)ul)lit' 
nor  fear  to  do  so,  if  occasion  re(piire." 

Berington.  in  his  rejjly  to  "Wharton,  had  cited  a  k-tter  of 
Dr.  Carroll,  to  which  he  gave  an  interpretation  never  in- 
tended by  the  Jesuit  Father.  In  writing  \o  Father  O'Leary, 
Dr.  Carroll  says:  "A  few  eo])ies  of  Mr.  Beriiigtoji's  late 
work  had  reached  America  before  your  letter :  l)ut  I  am  not 
the  less  obliged  to  you  for  your  kitid  intention  of  sending  it. 
With  that  gentleman  I  had  a  slight  acquaintance  in  Europe, 
and  some  correspondence  lias  existed  between  us,  occasioned 
by  his  former  publication  on  the  Behavior  of  the  English 
Catholics.     In  a  letter  to  him  and  before  I  had  a  thou<rht 


EFFECT  OF  THE  CONTROVERSY. 


23.") 


of  over  being  in  tiiy  present  fetation,  I  expressed  a  wish  that 
the  pastors  of  the  Church  would  see  cause  to  grant  to  this 
extensive  continent  jointly  with  England  and  Ireland,  etc., 
the  same  privilege  as  is  enjoyed  hy  many  churches  of  inti- 
iiitely  less  extent :  that  of  having  their  liturgy  in  their  own 
liiiiuiiiige  ;  for  I  flo  indeed  conceive  that  one  of  the  most 
y,(. pillar  prejudices  against  us  is  that  onr  public  prayers  are 
uiiiiitoUigible  to  our  hearers.  Many  of  the  poor  people,  and 
the  negroes  generally,  not  being  able  to  read,  have  no  tech- 
nical help  to  confine  their  attention.  Mr.  Berington's  brill- 
iaiit  imagination  attributes  to  me  jirojects  which  far  exceed 
i„v  iK.wors,  and  in  which  I  should  find  no  co-operation  from 
my  clerical  brethren  in  America,  were  I  rash  enough  to  at- 
tempt their  introduction  upon  my  own  authority."  ' 

The  controversy  with  Wharton  brought  the  Eev.  Mr.  Car- 
roll once  more  prominently  before  the  Catholics  of  the  United 
States,  for  the  work,  though  anonymous,  was,  at  once,  ascribed 

to  him. 

It  had  not  contributed  to  his  elevati(>n  to  the  position  of 
Suiierior  of  the  Catholics  in  the  United  States  ;  but  it  con- 
vinced the  Sovereign  Pontiff  and  his  council  that  they  had 


1  Dmft  of  Letter  of  Very  Rev.  .John  Carroll  to  Kev.  Arthur  O'Leary. 
\t  this  time  many  Catholics  in  England  looked  forward  with  despair  to 
111.'  future  of  religion  in  English-speaking  countries,  and  thought  the  ex- 
istence of  the  Church  there  much  longer  impossible  without  conceding 
to  i.rcvailin!j   prejudice  whatever  could   be  yielded.     The  mantle  of 
pn.pliecy  had  not  fallen  on  any  of  them  ;  and  indeed  had  St.  Paul  of 
Ih,.  Cross,  or  St.  Benedict  Labre,  or  any  other  Saint  of  that  day  foretold 
tint  in  a'een.urv  there  would  be  a  hir>rarchy  in  England,  Ireland,  and 
Scotland,  Canada,  the  United  States,  India,  Australia,  with  a  cardinal  ni 
•ilnaist  every  one  of  those  parts,  provincial  councils  and  synods  held,  and 
a  (General  Council  convened,  at  which  one-fourth  the  Bishops  were  from 
F n-lish-speaking  countries,  it  would  have  been  regarded  as  an  evidence 
„f  Insanity,  not' of  sanctity.     That  Carroll,  thrown  so  long  among  the 
hading  Eiiglish  Catholica,  fiit  some  of  their  despondency,  is  scarcely  to 
!)(•  wondered  at. 


T9Mtr''  \ , 


2.'30 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


chogen  wisely.  The  priest,  disposed  to  look  witii  forebodin^r.s 
a ;  to  the  future,  was,  Moses  like,  to  lead  tlie  cliosen  pcDj^i. 
toward  the  Promised  Land,  thou^dj  he  was  not  to  live  to  sec 
it  ill  full  possession  of  its  heritage. 

Tile  interest  excited  h_y  the  discussion  iietween  Dr.  Carroll 
and  tlie  unfortunate  Wharton  emboldened  C.  Talhot,  a  Dui,- 
lin  printer  and  bookseller,  who  had  settled  in  Philadolpliii,, 
to  issue  in  1784  an  edition  of  Reeve's  History  of  the  01,1 
and  New  Testament ;  it  was  the  first  Catholic  work  appar- 
I'litly  Issued  liy  any  publisher  on  his  own  account.  All  Cath- 
olic books  that  had  previously  appeared  were,  so  far  as  infor- 
mation shows,  struck  off  by  printers  for  some  of  the  clei-jtry, 
who  obtained  subscriptions  enough  among  the  flock  to  justify 
their  undertaking  the  publication. 

An  edition  of  Challoner's  "Catholic  Christian  Instructed" 
vvas  printed  at  Philadelphia  in  178.5,  and  also  a  Spelling 
Primer  with  an  abridgment  of  the  Catechism  annexed.' 


'  The  following  are  works  of  Cntliolio  authors,  printed  in  this  country 
in  and  before  Mm,  iuchiding  those  issued  by  Protestants  for  tlieir  ow'n 
use  : 

1729.  Sesuenot,  "  Letter  from  a  Romish  Priest  in  Canada."    Boston 
^V"^'  '^f'"!''**'  '"Tlie  Imitation  of  Christ."    Germantown. 
1750.  PYnelon,  "  I)i.s.serlation  on  Pure  Love."    Germantown. 
17«8.  "Memoire  de.s  llabitans  et  Negocians  de  la  Loiiisiane."    New 
Orleans. 

1772.  "  Invitation  8erieuse  au.x  Habitants  des  Illinois."    ?  Philadelpliia. 

1773.  "  Dcr  Kleinc  Kerapis,  oder  Kurze  Sprllehe  und  Gebiltlein  aiis 

denen  meislens  unbekannten  Wcrkleiii  dcj  Thonuu  a  Kemi)is." 

Germantown. 
"Catholic  Manual."    Philadelphia. 
"  The  Garden  of  the  Soul."    Philadelphia. 
Challoner,  "  Catholic  Christian  Instructed."     Philadelphia. 

1778.  D'Estaing,  "Declaration  .   .   .  aux  anciens  Franvais."     Boston. 

1779.  Baudot,  "  I)isc(mrs  prononce  le  4  Juillet."    Philadelphia. 
1781.  Wharton,  "A  Poetical  Epistle  to  George  Washington."    Anna- 
polis.    1783.  S|>ringficld. 


1774. 


1774. 


CATHOLIC  BOOKS. 


237 


I'.cfore  tlie  Revolution  the  printing  of  CatlioHc  books  was 
niissible  oul.v  in  Pennsylvania,  and  there  was  done  cautiously. 
Dr.  Carroll  wrote :  "  Amongst  the  poorer  sort  many  could 
IK  it  read,  or  if  they  could,  were  destitute  of  books,  which,  if 
to  h(3  had  at  all,  must  come  from  England  :  and  in  England 
the  laws  were  excessively  rigid  against  printing  or  vending 
( 'atholic  books." 

The  faithful  in  iSmerica  were  not  indifferent:  and  in  one 
wny  or  other  secured  uiany  Catholic  books.  The  edition  of 
C'li!illoner's  Bible  isi^ued  in  1703-4,  not  improbably  at  Dublin, 
liiis  Catholics  in  America  in  its  list  of  subscribers.  "A  Man- 
ual of  Catholic  Prayers,"  followed  apparently  by  ('halloner's 
"Catholic  Christian  Instructed,"  was  printed  by  Robert  Rell 
at  Pliiladelphia  in  1774,  and  with  "The  Garden  of  the 
Soul,"  l^rinted  by  Crukshank,  were  perhaps  the  oidy  prayer- 
books  issued  in  this  country  for  the  use  of  Catholics  before 
tlie  Revolution. 

On  the  2<ith  of  August,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll  received  a 
letter  from  Rev.  Mr.  Thorpe  at  Rome,  announcing  his  ap- 
pointment. Dr.  Carroll  replied  at  once,  thanking  his  cor- 
respondent most  cordially  for  his  active  and  successful  en- 
deavors to  render  service  to  the  Church  in  America  :  "  I  say 
successful,"  he  wrote,  ''  not  because  your  partiality,  as  I  ])re- 
snnie,  joined  to  that  of  my  old  cheerful  friend,  Dr.  Franklin, 
siii,'gestf'd  me  to  the  consideration  of  his  Holiness,  but  because 
you  have  obtained  some  form  of  spiritual  government  to  be 
a(lo])tcd  for  us." 

Though  informed  of  his  appointment  as  Prefect-Apostolic, 
but  without  official  notification  from  Rome,  the  Rev.  Dr. 

1T83.  Kon)]iis,  "  Of  the  Imitation  of  Christ."    Philadelphia. 

1783.  Hurke,  "  Address  to  the  Freemen  of  S.  Carolinii,"    Philadelphia. 

1783.  Hobin,  "  New  Travels  in  North  America."    Philadelphia. 

1783.  Robin,  "  Nouveau  Voyage  dans  TAmerique."    Philadelphia. 


I 


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LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Carroll  kuw  the  day  ii])i»roiichiiig  to  which  the  Dek'gatcH  df 
the  Clergy  had  adjourned,  and  when  they  were  to  decide  '^\\ 
the  proposed  Form  of  Government.  His  nomination  liad 
been  made  without  any  solicitation  on  his  part,  and  wiflidur 
taking  tiie  views  of  the  jjriests  in  this  country.  Tiic  Pi-ctVi  r 
elect  could  not,  therefore,  feel  assured  as  to  the  manner  in 
which  his  ai)pointment  would  be  regarded. 

When  the  Chapte.'  opened  its  first  session  on  the  11th  df 
October,  1784,  ho  attended  as  a  simple  delegate,  and  no  otli- 
cial  notice  of  his  promotion  was  taken.  "  The  Form  of  (Jov- 
ernment"  in  nineteen  articles  and  "  Rules  for  the  particular 
Governnjent  of  Members  bek)nging  to  y''  Body  of  y"  Clergy" 
were  adopted  and  declared  to  be  "  binding  on  all  persons,  at 
present,  composing  the  Body  of  Clergy  in  Maryland  ami 
Pennsylvania." 

The  Form  of  Government  was  signed  for  the  Rev.  John 
Lewis,  Superior,  by  his  deputy,  Rev.  Joseph  Mosley,  by 
Revs.  Lucas  Geissler  and  Robert  Molyneux,  Beriuird  Didc- 
rick  and  John  Carroll,  Ignatius  Matthews  and  James  Walton, 
delegates  to  the  Chapter  from  the  three  districts,  and  by  sev- 
eral otiicr  priests  who  attended.  Rev.  Joseph  Mosley,  John 
Ashton,  Sylvester  Boarman,  Charles  Sewell,  Francis  Beeston. 
and  Francis  Neale. 

Under  the  system  thus  proposed,  the  priests  in  Maryland 
and  Pennsylvania  were  to  form  a  body  corporate,  which  was 
to  hold,  until  the  rotoration  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  the 
property  formerly  held  in  the  names  of  members  of  tliat 
order  individually.  The  affairs  of  the  corporation  were  to 
be  nuinaged  by  a  Chapter  composed  of  two  deputies  from 
each  of  the  three  districts,  chosen  by  the  priests  belonging  to 
the  corporation  stationed  therein. 

This  Chapter  was  to  meet  every  three  years,  and  was  to 
appoint  a  Procurator-General,  who  was  to  have  the  general 


THE  "CHAPTER." 


239 


cliarge  of  the  property.  The  titles  of  the  huule  were  to  bo 
liold  l)y  trustees,  ami  the  gentlemen  so  appointed  were  to 
ii-ive  bonds,  and  the  Chapter  was  to  adopt  means  to  prevent 
tlie  alienation  of  any  part.  The  Chapter  was  empowered  to 
make  new  rules,  which  were  to.  have  force  when  approved 
bv  the  districts  or  a  future  meeting  of  the  Chaj)ter.  It  also 
hail  the  right  to  hear  and  determine  complaints  and  appeals. 

Vacancies  in  the  Chapter  were  to  be  supplied  by  tiie  dis- 
tricts at  once.  At  the  triennial  meeting  the  Procurator  was 
to  make  a  report  on  the  particular  condition  of  each  estate, 
80  that  the  Chapter  could  examine  the  general  state  of  the 
temporal  affairs,  and  the  profits  or  losses  in  each. 

The  members  of  tlie  Chapter  were  in  ignorance  of  the 
powers  to  be  conferred  upon  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll,  or  indeed 
whether  he  would  accept  the  position. 

The  P'orm  of  Government  shows  their  distrust  of  the  Su- 
perior to  be  appointed,  who  might  after  all  be  a  perfect 
stranger  to  them  and  the  country.  The  last  article  provided  : 
"  XIX.  The  person  inveated  with  spiritual  jurisdiction  iu  y" 
country  shall  not  in  y'  quality  have  any  power  over  or  in  the 
temporal  property  of  y''  clergy."     Article  XIII.  declared  : 

•'  When  any  person  not  before  incorporated  into  y"  Body 
cif  Clergy  desires  to  be  admitted  therein,  tlie  Superior  in 
Spiritualities,  on  being  well  certified  of  his  doctrine,  morals 
and  sufficient  learning,  shall  propose  him  to  y°  members  of 
chapter  of  the  District  where  his  services  are  wanted,  and 
ill  ease  of  his  being  accepted  by  them,  some  member  of 
Ciiapter  in  that  district  shall  lay  l)efore  him  y"  general  regu- 
lations of  y"  l)ody  of  clergy,  and  require  him  to  sign  his  sub- 
mission thereunto :  direct  him  to  repair  to  y""  place  allotted 
for  his  residence.  But  if  y"  members  of  Chapter  do  not 
agree  to  receive  him  into  their  District,  then  y*  said  Superior 
is  to  propose  him  to  any  other  where  there  is  need,  and  pro- 


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240 


TJFK  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


i    ' 


ceecl  in  y"  naiiie  manner  a»  alkjvo.  It  no  DiHtriet  will  lulrnit 
liiiii,  lio  iH  t<t  be  iiifi)riiitMl,  that  ho  does  not  l)clong  toy'  Hodv 
of  (Jler{i;y,  y'  lie  owes  no  serviceH  to,  and  conseciiauitly  Ih  not 
entitled  to  any  provision  from  them  ;  and  wiu'ii  any  meiiiltt'i- 
of  y"  Hody  of  Clerj^y  thro'  diwontent  leavort  hi«  former  itjace 
of  reHidence  withont  y"  approbation  of  lawfnl  authority  and 
applyes  for  another  place  he  is  not  to  i»o  impowd  on  any 
district  without  their  consent  expressed  l»y  y'  mend^ers  nf 
Chapter." 

Every  priest  who  nnjijht  thereafter  seek  admission  into  the 
Corporate  Hody,  was  to  he  re(iuired  to  suhsc'rihe  this  fonmila  : 

"I  j)romise  to  conform  myself  to  y"  forms  and  re^jjulations 
estjdjlished  for  y '  Government  of  y "  Clergy  residing  in  Marv- 
laii<l  aud  Pennsylvania  so  long  as  I  expect  maintenance  and 
support  from  them." 

Another  Section  (XIV.)  read  :  "  With  respect  to  memhe^^ 
actually  forming  part  of  the  body  of  the  clergy  there  shall  bo 
no  arbitrary  power  of  removing  them  at  will,  or  for  greater 
conveinence ;  but  when  a  vacancy  happens  which  the  good  of 
religion  re(piires  to  be  supplied,  the  meiid)ers  of  chapter  of 
the  district  in  which  the  vacancy  Her,  shall  endeavor  to  pre- 
vail upon  the  person  they  judge  Httest  to  accept  of  the  vacant 
charge,  application  having  been  first  made  to  the  superior  in 
spiritual  i  bus." 

And  Article  XVI.:  "When  the  Superior  in  spiritualibus 
has  withdrawn  his  faculties  from  an\  clergyman,  on  a'coimt 
of  his  misconduct  or  irregularity  of  life,  the  procurator  gen- 
eral shall  have  power  to  (k'prive  him  o'  any  maintenance 
from  the  estates  of  the  clergy." 

The  Rules  iov  particular  government  of  members  belong- 
ing to  "y"  body  of  y"  Clergy"  re<piire  each  to  subscribe  a 
promise  Ut  subnnt  to  the  common  inles  and  regulations  of 
government  as  long  as  he  should  remain  amongst  them.    Each 


THE  "CHAPTER:' 


241 


pricHt  was  to  he  nmiMtained  out  of  the  eetatc  on  which  he  re- 
hiclod  and  to  receive  thirty  pouiidH  a  year.  Wlien  iiutapaci- 
tiited  hy  age  or  intiniiity,  this  allowance  waH  to  continue 
wlu'tlier  he  remained  on  any  of  their  entatert,  or  wont  cIhc- 
wliere;  hut  no  allowance  waa  to  he  made  to  any  one  residiufr 
with  Kecularrt,  uidesH  with  the  sanction  of  the  (Miapter.  A 
HtaiKlinj? committee,  conmHtingof  Rev.  MesHrs.  Lewifl,  Farmer, 
and  Diggew,  was  appointed  to  liear  and  determine  all  differ- 
ences among  memhcrs, 

*'  To  prct^erve  charity  among  the  incmherH  of  the  clergy  in 
tliiw  misBion,  every  one  must  fre(iuently  pray  for  each  other, 
and  HJiy  ten  rnasses  for  every  person  dying  in  the  service  of 
this  mission  ;  and  the  ineinhers  of  the  private  chapters  may 
direct  wluit  masses  or  prayers  shall  he  said  for  other  purposes 
in  their  respective  districts.  Every  clergyman  shall  say  one 
irniss  every  year  for  the  sujHjrior  in  spiritualihus  during  his 
life-time,  and  after  his  decease.  And  for  the  late  superior, 
Rev.  John  Lewis,  after  his  death,  also  fifteen,  and  particularly 
all  shall  he  mindful  soon  after  the  2nd  Novemher,  to  say  an- 
nually one  mass  for  deceased  henefactors." 

The  Form  of  Government  was  thus  adopted. 

Salaries  were  then  fixed ;  that  of  Rev.  Jolm  Ashton 
as  [)rocurator-general  at  £40  currcncv.  And  it  was  "l?e- 
solved  that  the  superior  in  spirituals,  irom  the  receipt  of  his 
faculties  he  allowed  the  salary  of  £100  sterling — $444  per 
annum,  together  with  a  servant  and  a  chair  and  horse :  that 
his  salary  continue  to  the  noxl  meeting  of  the  chapter,  and 
then  he  suhject  to  their  furtiier  determination." 

The  Chapter  having  thus  adopted  a  Plan  of  Government 
and  Rules  proceede<i  to  elect  Rev.  John  Ashton,  whose  ad- 
ministrative ability  was  recognized,  as  General  Procurator. 

A  letter  from  Rev.  Mr.  Thorpe  was  laid  hefore  the  Chap- 
ter, and  they  decided  that  a  Superior  with  power  to  give 
11 


'f 


t53 


242 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Coiifinnation,  bless  oils,  grant  faculties  and  dispensations 
was  adequate  to  the  present  exigencies  of  religion  in  this 
country.  "  That  a  bishop  is  at  present  unnecessary."  Tliey 
appointed  a  committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  Bernard  Diderick, 
Ignatius  Matthews,  and  Joseph  Mosley,  to  draw  up  a  petition 
to  the  Pope  to  urge  that  no  bishop  be  yet  appointed,  and 
they  resolved  "That  if  one  be  sent,  it  is  decided  by  the  ma- 
jority of  the  cliapter,  that  he  sliall  not  be  entitled  to  any  6U2> 
port  from  the  present  estates  of  the  clergy." 

It  was  also  resolved  to  bring  in  six  additional  clergymen. 
After  binding  themselves  to  promote  and  effect  to  the  best 
of  their  power  an  absolute  and  entire  restoration  to  the  So- 
ciety of  Jesus  (if  it  should  please  Almighty  God  to  re-estab- 
lish it  in  this  country)  of  all  the  property  formerly  belonging 
to  it. 

The  restoration  of  the  Society  was  the  absorbing  thought 
of  the  American  missionaries  who  had  belonged  to  it,  and 
this  is  the  key  to  their  action,  which  to  some  miglit  seem  to 
savor  of  insubordination  and  defiance ;  but  there  were  no 
such  elements  in  these  patient  and  zealous  missionaries;  who, 
convinced  of  the  justice  of  their  cause,  were  waiting  for  tlie 
hour  when  Providence  would  avenge  it. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll  was  in  attendance  at  the  meetings  of 
the  Chapter  only  during  part  of  the  session,  as  he  was  taken 
ill  and  compelled  to  withdraw.  Soon  after  its  close,  on  the 
8th  of  November,  he  received  from  Barbu  de  Marbois  a  let- 
ter which  contrasts  strangely  with  that  in  which  he  assailed 
Dr.  Carroll  and  his  fellow-priests. 


Sir; 


"  New  York,  October  27,  1784. 


"  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  to  you  a  letter  which  I  have 
received  with  the  dispatches  of  the  Count  de  Vergennes.     I 


APPOINTMENT  ANNOUNCED. 


243 


nidge  by  the  address  of  that  letter  that  his  Hohness  has  con- 
chided  his  choice  in  regard  to  the  liead  of  the  CathoHc  Church 
on  this  continent.  I  congratulate  myself  in  being  one  of  the 
first  to  assure  you  that  this  choice  will  give  general  satisfac- 
tion, I  am  about  to  set  out  for  Trenton,  and  desire  earnestly 
that  Maryland  may  be  represented  in  Congress  by  one  of 
vour  relations.  If  your  nomination  should  produce  any 
other  communications  between  our  court  and  the  Holy  See, 
I  will  exert  myself  to  contribute  to  your  service. 

"  I  am  with  respect,  M.  I'Abbe, 

"  Your  very  humble  and  very 
"  Obedient  servant, 

"deMakbois. 
"  To  Eev.  John  Carroll." 

The  document  inclosed  was  addressed  "  To  Eev.  Dr.  John 
Carroll,  Superior  of  the  Mission  in  the  Thirteen  United 
States  of  America,"  but  it  contained  only  an  authority  to 
publish  the  Jubilee  of  1775,  which  had  been  specially  ex- 
tended to  the  United  States. 

The  decree  itself  appointing  him,  with  the  accompanying 
grant  from  the  Sovereign  Pontifif,  reached  him  on  the  26th 
of  November,  1784. 

With  them  came  the  following  letter : 

"  Rome,  June  9,  1784. 
"  Yery  Rev.  Sir  ; 

"  In  order  to  preserve  and  defend  Catholicity  in  the  Thir- 
teen United  States  of  North  America,  the  Supreme  Pontiff 
of  the  Church,  Pius  VI.,  and  this  sacred  Congregation,  have 
tlionght  it  extremely  proper  to  designate  a  pastor  who  should, 
permanently  and  independently  of  any  ecclesiastical  power, 
except  the  same  Sacred  Congregation,  attend  to  the  spiritual 
necessities  of  the  Catholic  flock.     In  the  appointment  of  such 


iHl 

lit 


':i- 


u         > 


r^f 


244 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


a  pastor,  the  Sacred  Congregation  would  have  readily  east  its 
eyes  on  the  Rev.  John  Lewis  if  his  advanced  age  and  the  la- 
bors he  has  already  undergone  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  had 
not  deterred  it  from  imposing  on  him,  a  new  and  very  heavy 
burden ;  for  he  seems  to  require  repose  rather  than  arduous 
labor.    As  then.  Rev.  Sir,  you  have  given  conspicuous  proofs 
of  piety  and  zeal,  and  it  is  known  that  your  appointment  v,i!{ 
please  and  gratify  many  members  of  that  republic,  and  es- 
pecially Mr.  Franklin,  the  eminent  individual  who  represents 
the  same  republic  at  the  court  of  the  Most  Christian  Kin^j, 
the  Sacred  Congregation,  with  the  approbation  of  his  Holi- 
ness, has  appointed  you  Superior  of  the  Mission  in  the  thir- 
teen United  States  of  North  America,  and  has  communicated 
to  you  the  faculties,  which  are  necessary  to  the  discharge  of 
that  office;   faculties  which  are  also  communicated  to  the 
other  priests  of  the  same  States,  except  the  administration 
of  confirmation,  which  is  reserved  for  you  alone,  as  the  en- 
closed documents  will  show. 

"These  arrangements  are  tneant  to  be  only  temporary. 
For  it  is  the  intention  of  his  Holiness  soon  to  charge  a 
Vicar-Apostolic,  invested  with  the  title  and  character  of  bish- 
op, with  the  care  of  those  states,  that  he  may  attend  to  ordi- 
nation and  other  episcopal  functions.  But,  to  accomplish 
this  design,  it  is  of  great  importance  that  we  should  be  made 
ae(|uainted  with  the  state  of  the  orthodox  religion  in  those 
thirteen  states.  Therefore  we  request  you  to  forward  to  us, 
as  soon  as  possible,  a  correct  report,  stating  carefully  the 
number  of  Catholics  in  each  state;  what  is  their  condition, 
their  piety  and  what  abuses  exist ;  also  how  many  missionary 
priests  labor  now  in  this  vineyard  of  the  Lord  ;  what  are  their 
qnalitications,  their  zeal,  their  mode  of  support.  For  though 
the  Sacred  (\>ngregation  wish  jiot  to  meddle  with  temporiil 
things,  it  is  important  for  the  establishment  of  laborers,  that 


CARDINAL  ANTONELLVS  LETTER. 


245 


we  should  know  what  are  the  ecclesiastical  revenues,  if  any 
there  are,  and  it  is  believed  there  are  some.  In  the  mean- 
time for  fear  the  want  of  missionaries  should  deprive  the 
Catholics  of  spiritual  assistance,  it  has  been  resolved  to  invite 
hither  two  youths  from  the  states  of  Maryland  and  Pennsyl- 
vania, to  educate  them  at  the  expense  of  the  Sacred  Congre- 
j^ation  in  the  Urban  College ;  they  will  afterwards,  on  return- 
iii<r  to  their  country,  be  substitutes  in  the  mission.  We  leave 
to  your  solicitude  the  care  of  selecting  and  sending  them. 
You  will  make  choice  of  those  who  have  more  promising 
talents  and  a  good  constitution,  who  are  not  less  than  twelve, 
nor  more  than  fifteen  years  of  age ;  who  by  their  proficiency 
ill  the  sanctuary  may  give  great  hopes  of  themselves.  You 
may  address  them  to  the  excellent  archbishop  of  Seleucia, 
Apostolic  Nuncio  at  Paris,  who  is  informed  of  their  coming. 
If  the  young  men  selected  are  unable  to  defray  the  expenses 
of  the  voyage,  the  S"-".id  Congregation  will  provide  for  them : 
we  even  wish  to  \-  informed  by  you  frankly  and  accurately 
of  the  necessary  tr^voiing  expenses,  to  serve  as  a  rule  for  the 
future.  Such  are  the  things  I  had  to  signify  to  you  ;  and 
whilst  I  am  confident  you  will  discharge  the  office  committed 
to  you  with  all  zeal,  solicitude  and  fidelity,  and  more  tha 
swer  the  In'gh  opinion  we  have  formed  of  you,  I  pray  Q^l 
that  he  may  grant  you  all  peace  and  happiness. 

"  L.  Card.  Antonelii, 

"  Prefect. 
"Stephen  Boroia, 

"  Secretary." 


ir 


The  action  of  the  Holy  See  had  given  the  Catholics  in  the 
United  States  a  separate  organization  ;  but  among  priests  and 
people  who  had  just  emerged  from  the  oppressed  condition 
so  long  maintained  by  the  penal  laws,  the  temporary  tenure 


246 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


:S.:'^ 


of  the  Prefect,  his  absohite  dependence  on  the  Propaganda, 
and  the  extremely  h'mited  powers  given  liiin,  were  the  source 
of  great  uneasiness.     As  it  afterward  proved,  the  form  of  the 
appointment  was  based  on  that  of  a  Prefect  sent  from  Rome 
with  missi, naries  to  Africa,  and  contained  a  clause  that  he 
was  to  give  faculties  to  no  priests  coming  into  the  country 
except  those  sent  and  approved  by  the  Sacred  Congregation.' 
Very  naturally  such  a  clause  in  his  appointment  seemed  in- 
explicable to  Dr.  Carroll,  as  the  Propaganda  did  not  purpose 
sending  any  priests  to  aid  him  in  his  work,  and  few  priests 
arriving  in  the  United  States  would  possefs  means  or  be  will- 
ing to  return  to  Europe  and  go  to  Rome  to  obtain  a  mission 
and  approbation  from  the  Congregation  de  Propaganda  Fide. 
Dr.  Carroll  wrote  to  Rev.  Mr.  Thorpe :  "  Though  our  free 
and  tolerant  forms  of  government  (in  Virgiiiia,  Marylanfl, 
and  Pennsylvania)  admit  us  to  equal  civil  rights  with  other 
Christians,  yet  the  leading  men  in  our  resjiective  States  often 
express  a  jealousy  of  any  foreign  jurisdiction  :  and  surely 
will  be  more  offended  with  our  submitting  to  it  in  matters 
not  essential  to  our  faith.     I  hope  they  will  never  object  to 
our  depending  on  the  Pope  in  things  purely  spiritual,  but  I 
am  sure  there  are  men,  at  least  in  this  State,  who  would  blow 
up  a  flame  of  animosity  against  us,  if  they  suspected  that  we 
were  to  be  so  much  under  the  government  of  any  Congrega- 
tion at  Rome,  as  to  receive  our  Superior  from  it,  commis- 
sioned only  during  their  good-will,  and  that  this  Superior 
was  restricted  from  employing  any  clergyman  here,  but  such 
as  that  Congregation  should  direct.     I  dread  so  nuich  the 


'  "  The  cnimpinp:  rluuses  against  which  you  had  with  great  reason  re- 
monatrated  Hhouhi  be  stnick  out  of  the  printed  faculties  and  tliat  they 
were  never  meant  to  be  where  you  found  theni,  left  by  an  oversifrht  in 
the  Secretary's  office."— Letter  of  liev.  Mr.  Thorpe,  Uome,  August  HI, 


1  Kl 
n 


PUBLIC  FEELING. 


247 


consequences  of  its  being  known,  that  this  last  direction  was 
ever  given,  that  I  have  not  thought  proper  to  mention  it  to 
Beveral  of  my  Brethren," 

"  You  well  know,"  he  says  again  in  the  same  letter,  "  that 
in  our  free  and  jealous  government,  where  Catholics  are  ad- 
mitted into  all  public  Councils  equally  with  the  professors  of 
any  other  Keligion,  it  never  will  be  suffered  that  their  eccle- 
Biastical  Superior  (be  he  a  Bishop  or  Prefect-Apostolic)  receive 
his  appointment  from  a  foreign  State,  and  only  hold  it  at  the 
discretion  of  a  foreign  tribunal  or  congregation.    If  even  the 
present  temper  or  inattention  of  our  executive  and  legislative 
bodies  were  to  overlook  it  for  this  and  perhaps  a  few  more 
instances,  still  ought  we  not  to  acquiesce  and  rest  quiet  in 
actual  enjoyment :  for  the  consequence  sooner  or  later  would 
certainly  be  that  some  malicious  or  jealous-minded  person, 
would  raise  a  spirit  against  as,  and  under  pretence  of  rescu- 
ing the  State  from  foreign  influence  and  dependence,  strip 
us  perhaps  of  our  common  civil  rights."  ' 

The  tidings  of  his  appointment  foimd  the  Eev.  Mr.  Carroll 
undecided  as  to  his  course.     The  appointment  was  not  one 
that  he  desired.     He  had  a  decided  repugnance  to  accept  any 
position,  a.id  especially  one  merely  at  their  pleasure,  from 
the  Congregation  de  Propaganda  Fide :   ro  accept  it  ham- 
pered by  restrictions  and  little  power  for  good  was  a  step 
from  which  he  shrank.     "  I  do  assure  you,"  he  wrote  to  his 
friend.  Ilev.  Charles  Plowden,  "  that  nothing  personal  to 
myself,  except  the  dissolution  of  the  Society,  ever  gave  me 
BO  nmch  concern  ;  and  if  a  meeting  of  our  gentlemen,  to  be 
held  the  9th  of  October,  agree  in  thinking  that  I  can  dechne 
the  intended  office  without  grievous  interference,  I  shall  cer- 
tainly do  ro." 


M 


'  Letter  to  Rev.  Mr.  Thorpe,  February  17,  1785. 


248  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

The  proceedings  of  the  Chapter,  as  we  have  seen,  took  no 
official  notice  of  the  appointment  of  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll,  al- 
though it  wa*  known  by  private  letters.  His  appointmejit 
was  indeed  satisfactory,  but  the  nature  of  the  office  ke])t 
alive  fear  and  distrust. 

A  memorial  protesting  against  the  creation  of  a  bishop  for 
the  United  States,  was  drawn  up  by  Rev.  Bernard  Diderick 
but  it  was  injudicious  in  matter  and  form,  so  that  Dr.  Car 
roll  objected  to  it.  There  is  little  doubt,  however,  that  it 
was  forwarded  substantially  in  the  same  terms  to  Rome,  anc 
if  not  formally  presented,  was  known  and  had  some  effect. 

That  an  influence  was  exerted  is  certain,  and  the  appoint- 
ment of  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  as  Vicar-Apostolic,  which  his  Holi- 
ness intended  to  carry  into  effect  in  1785,  was  laid  aside. 


CHAPTEK  VI. 

VERY  EEV.  JOHN  CAKEOLL,  PREFECT-APOSTOUC  OF  THE  UNITED 

STATES,  1Y84-1790. 

On  receiving  the  documents  investing  him  with  spiritual 
authority  over  the  Catholics  in  the  United  States,  the  Very 
Itov.  Dr.  Carroll  prepared  a  circular  to  be  transmitted  to 
each  priest.  In  the  draft  of  one,  which  was  apparently  not 
used,  he  discussed  at  length  their  depv-ndence  on  the  Propa- 

M;aiida. 

"  I  consider  powers  issued  from  the  Propaganda,  not  only 
as  improper,  but  dangerous  here,"  wrote  Dr.  Carroll.     "  The 
jealousy  In  our  govermnents  of  the  interference  of  any  for- 
eign jurisdiction  is  known  to  be  such,  that  we  cannot  expect, 
and  in  my  opinion,  ought  not  to  wish  that  they  would  toler- 
ate any  other  than  that  which  being  purely  spiritual,  is  essen- 
tial to  our  Keligion,  to  wit,  an  acknowledgment  of  the  Pope's 
spiritual  supremacy,  and  of  the  See  of  St.  Peter  being  the 
centre  of  the  Ecclesiastical  Unity.     The  appointment,  there- 
fore, by  the  Propaganda  of  a  Superior  for  this  country,  ap- 
liears  to  be  a  dangerous  step,  and  by  exciting  the  jealousy  of 
the  government  here,  may  tend  much  to  the  prejudice  of 
Keligion,  and  perhaps  expose  it  to  the  reproach  of  encourag- 
ing a  dependence  on  a  foreign  power,  and  giving  them  an 
undue  internal  influence  by  leaving  with  them  a  prerogative 
to  nominate  to  places  of  trust  and  real  importance,  and  that 
'  ad  suum  beneplacitum.' 

"  The  (Congregation  of  the  Propaganda,  if  I  understand  its 
institution,  was  formed  only  for  the  government  and  super- 
11*  (249) 


!  ill 


250 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


intendeiice  of  missions,  &c. :  and  I  observe,  that  they  aflfect 
in  their  conunission  to  nie  and  other  acts,  to  cull  our  ecck'M"- 
astical  state  here  a  mission  ;   and  the  laborers  therein  mi^i- 
sioners,     E'erhaps  this  denomination  was  heretofore  proper 
enough  ;  but  it  cannot  now  be  so  deemed.     By  the  constitu- 
tion, our  Religion  has  acquired  equal  rights  and  privileges 
with  that  of  other  Christians :   we  form  not  a  fluctuating 
l)0(l.y  of  laborers  in  Christ's  vineyard,  sent  hither  and  renio"- 
ablo  at  the  will  of  a  Superior,  but  a  permanent  body  of  na- 
tional clergy,  with  sufficient  powers  to  form  our  own  system 
of  internal  government,  and  I  think,  to  choose  our  own  m- 
porior  and  a  very  just  claim  to  have  a-    necessary  spiritual 
authority  communicated  to  him,  on  his  being  presented  as 
regularly  and  canonically  chosen  by  us.     We  have  further  a 
reasonaI)le  prospect,  which  I  soon  hope  to  see  realized,  of 
fornn'ng  an  establishment  for  educating  and  perpetuating  a 
succession  of  clergy  among  ourselves ;  and  as  soon  as  that 
measure  is  in  a  promising  forwardness,  we  shall  have  a  rii'lit 
to  a  diocesan  Bishop  of  our  own  choice.     '  Ought  not  the 
inmiense  territory  possessed  by  the  United  States  to  have  an 
Ecelesiiistical  Superior  as  independent  Jis  the  Bishop  of  Que- 
bec ? '  says  one  of  our  zealous  friends  iu  England." 

The  fear  of  their  having  some  stranger  forced  on  the 
Catholics  of  this  country  as  their  Bishop  had  not  been  laid 
aside:  "I  am,  moreover,  advised  by  Cardinal  Antonelli,  that 
his  Holiness  intends  to  appc.int  hereafter  (but  no  term  men- 
tioned or  even  insinuated)  a  Vicar-Apostolic  with  Episcojial 
character,  and  with  such  powers  as  may  exempt  this  couiitry 
from  every  other  Ecclesiastical  dependence,  beside  that  on 
the  aforesaid  Congregiition.  But  not  the  slightest  intimation 
is  given  of  the  person  dc.'^igned  for  that  preferment."  '•  \Vc 
shall  in  a  few  years  stand  in  absolute  need  of  a  Bishop,  but 
that  a  Bishop  Vicar-Apostolic  would  give  great  umbrage,  on 


:''>! 


DR.  CARROLL  ACCEPTS. 


201 


account  of  this  entire  dependence,  both  for  his  station  and 
conduct,  on  a  foreign  jurisdiction :  he  must  he  a  diocesan 
Bishop,  and  his  appointment  must  come  neither  from  liis 
Holiness,  for  tliat  would  create  more  jealousy  in  our  govern- 
ment, than  even  in  France,  Germany  or  Spain,  nor  from  the 
Assemblies  or  different  Executives  ....  but  he  should  be 
chosen  by  the  Catholic  clergy  themselves."  ' 

The  position  into  which  the  Catholic  body  in  the  United 
States  had  been  forced  by  the  wretched  intrigue  to  impose  a 
foreign  bishop  on  them  was  a  sad  one.  But  as  the  acceptance 
of  the  Prefecture  by  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll  would  pave  the  way 
to  a  more  satisfactory  organization,  while  his  refusal  to  un- 
dertake the  duty  imposed  upon  him,  would  alinost  certainly 
result  in  the  imposition  of  some  stranger  on  the  Catholics  in 
the  United  States,  he  yielded  to  the  arguments  of  his  fellow- 
clergymen  and  decided  to  accept  the  onerous  position.' 

On  the  27th  of  February,  1Y85,  he  addressed  Cardinal  An- 
tonelli,  Prefect  of  the  Propagimda,  apologizing  for  the  delay, 
returning  thanks  for  the  good-will  shown  him  personally, 
and  for  the  interest  manifested  in  the  advancement  of  the 
Catholic  cause  in  the  United  States  ;  and  he  begged  him  to 
convey  to  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  his  absolute  devotion  to  the 
Holy  See,  and  his  thanks  for  the  important  trust  confided  to 

'  Very  Rev.  .1.  Carroll,  Draught  of  a  circular  letter  announcing  his  ap- 
iwinlmcnt  as  Prefect. 

■'  "  Nothing  but  the  present  extreme  necessity  of  some  spiritual  powers 
here,  could  induce  me  to  net  under  a  commission,  which  may  produce, 
if  long  continued,  and  it  should  become  public,  the  most  dangerous 
jealousy."— Very  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll,  MS.  draft  of  a  circular  announcing 
his  appointment  as  Prefect.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  Lewis,  Molyneux,  Far- 
mer, Leonard  Nealc,  and  others  had  urged  him  to  send  his  acceptance  at 
once  ;  but  it  is  evident  that  some,  still  distrustful,  regarded  Dr.  Carroll's 
appointment  only  as  temporary,  and  an  entering  wedge  to  despoil  the 
Church  of  its  property.  See  letters  in  "  U.  S.  Cath.  Mag.,"  1844,  pp. 
798,  etc. 


J 


'.'il 


■•!ilia 


I 

f 


r 


i    f 


■=5     ;! 


252 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


him.  He  expressed  his  sense  of  his  lack  of  mental  and  bodily 
qualifications  for  the  faithful  disi-liarge  of  the  duties.  To 
give  an  uct'urate  condition  of  the  state  of  affairs  would  re- 
quire statements  that  might  not  be  pleasing  and  might  seem 
lacking  in  re.spect  to  the  Holy  See  ;  but  he  was  not  deterred 
by  these  consiilerations  from  the  conviction  that  nothing 
could  be  safely  or  ctHcaeiously  dont'  for  the  (Jhurch  in  the 
United  States  until  the  actual  condition  was  clearly  under- 
stood. 

He  then  showed  how  formerly  Maryland  and  Pennsylva- 
nia were  the  only  two  colonies  where  (  atholics  wore  allowed 
to  reside,  and  even  there  were  excluded  from  any  civil  or 
military  office.      Since  their  deliveranc(>  from   the  British 
yoke  Catholics  could,  unmolested,  assemlile  for  divine  wor- 
ship in  any  of  the  States.     "  In  most  places,  however,  they 
are  not  admitted  to  any  office  in  the  State  unless  they  re- 
nounce all  foreign  jurisdiction,  civil  or  ecclesiastical,"  so  that 
Catholics  were  virtually  under  civil  disabilities  in  most  of  the 
States,  enjoying  fully  the  rights  of  their  fi-llow-citizens  only 
in  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland,  and  Virginia.    "  JJut," 
he  added,  "  how  long  we  are  to  enjoy  the  benefits  of  this 
toleration  or  equal  riglits,  I  would  not  dare  to  assert.     Many 
of  our  people  especially  in  Maryland  fear,  that  we  sliall  be 
absolutely  excluded  from  holding  office  ;  for  my  own  part,  I 
have  deemed  it  wiser  not  to  anticipate  evils,  but  to  boar  tliein 
when  they  come.     I  cherish  the  hope  that  so  great  a  wrong 
will  not  he  done  us :  nay  more  I  trust  that  the  foundations 
of  religion  will  be  so  Hrmly  laid  in  the  Ilm'ted  States,  that  a 
most  flonrishing  part  of  the  Church  will  in  time  be  developed 
here,  to  the  great  consolation  of  the  Holy  See. 

"  The  Church  of  England  had  been  the  dominant  body, 
directed  by  ministers  dependent  on  the  Bislu  p  of  London, 
but  after  the  war,  they  were  not  allowed  to  depend  on  an 


LETTER   TO  CAJtDINAL  ANTONELLI. 


253 


English  or  any  other  foreign  biwhop.  They  were  free  to  ap- 
point and  elect  bishops  of  their  own,  as  they  hud  in  fact 
<i(ine,  although  none  had  yet  been  consecrated  according  to 
flioir  ritCH.  They  have  adopted  a  form  of  govcrnniont  for 
their  church,  and  desire  it  be  called  and  to  be  national,  in 
that  it  admitted  no  foreign  Superior,  that  they  may  be  freed 
from  such  fears  for  the  future  as  many  Catholics  felt. 

"The  most  Eminent  Cardinal  may  rest  assured  that  the 
greatest  evils  would  be  borne  by  v^s  rather  than  renounce  the 
divine  authority  of  the  Holy  See  :  that  not  oiily  wc  priests 
who  are  here,  but  the  Catholic  people  seem  s*    Rrm  in  the 
faith  that  they  will  never  withdraw  from  obedience  to  the 
Sovereign  Pontiff,     The  Catholic  body,  however,  thiiik  that 
gome  favor  should  be  granted  to  them  by  the  Holy  P'ather, 
necessary'  for  their  permanent  enjoyment  of  the  civil  rights 
which  they  now  enjoy,  and  to  avert  the  dangers  which  they 
fear.     From  what  I  have  «iid,  and  from  the  framework  of 
public  affairs  here,  your  Eminence  must  see  how  objectiona- 
ble all  foreign  jurisdiction  will  be  to  them.     The  Cath(»lics 
therefore  desire  tliat  no  pretext  be  given  to  the  enemies  of 
our  religion  to  accuse  us  of  depending  unnecessarily  on  a 
foreign  authority  ;  and  tliat  some  plan  .may  be  adopted,  by 
which  hereafter  an  ecclesiastical  Superior  may  be  appointed 
for  this  country,  in  sucli  a  way  as  to  retain  absolutely  the 
spiritual  jurisdiction  of  the  Holy  See,  and  at  the  same  time 
remove  ail  ground  of  objecting  to  us,  as  though  we  held  any- 
thing hostile  to  the  national  independence.     Many  of  the 
leading  Catholics  thought  of  laying  this  before  his  Holiness 
in  a  general  Memorial,  especially  those  who  have  been  either 
in  the  Continental  Congress  or  the  legislature  of  Pennsyh  a- 
nia  and  Maryland  :  but  I  induced  them  to  refrain  from  any 
such  step  at  least  for  the  present.     The  Holy  Father  will 
perhaps  see  more  clearly  what  is  to  be  done  in  this  matter,  if 


ill 


■R^' 

^B  ' 

^^^B 

P      • 

>•  i^^^ 

1' 

r    '•■ 

"  sMM 

1     •■ 

i  iH 

M 


a,')4 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


lie  coiiHiderH  the  Sixth  ol  the  Articlfs  of  porjittnal  Confedtr- 
iition  between  the  Statew,  which  eiiuctH  that  uo  one  who  holds 
any  otHee  under  the  United  Staten,  Hhall  Ih)  allowed  to  receive 
any  gift,  office  or  title  of  any  kind  wlmtHoever  from  any  kinjr, 
l)rince  or  foreiffn  government,  and  though  tluH  prohiliitioii 
seems  to  extend  only  to  those  who  are  appointed  to  offieec  in 
the  republic,  it  will  j)erhap.s  bo  wrested  by  our  opponents  to 
apply  also  to  ecc^lesiastioal  offices. 

"  We  desire  therefore,  Most  Eminent  ('ardinal,  to  ])rovide 
in  every  way,  that  the  faith  in  its  integrity,  due  obedience 
towards  the  Apostolic  See  and  perfect  union  should  flourish, 
and  at  the  same  time  that  whatever  can  with  safety  to  relij;- 
ion  be  granted,  shall  be  ctmceded  to  American  Catholics  in 
ecclcH'iistical  governnient ;  in  this  way  we  hope  that  the  di^- 
trust  of  Protestants  now  full  of  suspicion  will  be  diminished, 
and  that  thus  our  affairs  can  be  solidly  established. 

"  You  have  indicated.  Most  Kiiiinent  Cardinal,  that  it  was 
the  intention  and  design  of  His  Holiness  to  appoint  a  Vicar- 
Apostolic  for  these  States,  invested  with  the  episcopal  charac- 
ter and  title.     While  this  paternal  solicitude  for  us  has  filled 
U8  with  great  joy,  it  also  at  first  inspired  some  fear:  for  we 
knew  that  heretofore  American   Protestants  never  could  be 
induced  to  allow  even  a  Bishop  of  their  own  sect,  when  the 
attempt  was  made  during  the  subjection  of  these  ))rovinces  to 
the  King  of  England  :  hence  a  fear  arose  that  we  would  not 
l)e  permitted  to  have  one.     But  some  months  since  in  a  con- 
vention of  Protestant  ministers  of  the  Anglican  or  as  it  is  here 
called  the  Epi8coi)al  Church,  they  decreed,  that  as  by  author- 
ity of  law  they  enjoyed  the  full  exercise  of  their  religion, 
they  therefore  had  the  right  of  appointing  for  themselves 
such  ministers  of  holy  things,  as  the  system  and  discipline 
their  sect  required  :   namely  bishops,  priests,  and  deacons ; 
this  decision  on  their  part  was  not  censured  by  the  Congress 


LETTER   TO  CARDINAL  ANTONELLl 


2M 


ai)|)()iiittHl  to  fnune  our  law.-.  Ah  tlii)  Bamo  lihorty  in  tlio  ex- 
erciHe  of  religion  iw  granted  to  us,  it  nccewiuriiy  foUown  that 
wi'  enjoy  the  Banie  right  in  regard  to  adopting  lawH  for  our 
p.voriunent. 

"  While  the  matter  standi  thuH,  the  Holy  Father  will  de- 
cide, and  you,  MoHt  Eminent  ('ardinal,  will  conwder  \  hether 
the  lime  is  now  opportune  for  appointing  a  hinhop,  what  his 
qualiticationH  hIiouKI  be,  and  how  he  HJiould  Ikj  nominated. 
'.  )ii  all  theHo  pointH,  not  as  il  Heekinj.-  to  obtain  my  own  judg- 
ment, but  to  make  thia  relation  \u  »re  ample,  I  nhall  note  a 
few  fa<!ts. 

"  First,  as  regards  the  seasonablenesfl  ol  th'^  '^top,  it  may  be 
noted,  that  there  will  be  no  excitement  in         pub  H  mind,  if 
a  bishop  be  appointed,  as  Protestants  thin    (i  appo'    'ing  one 
for  themselves:  nay,  they  even  h-  pe  to  at  lUiO  toni.   import- 
ance for  their  sect  among  the  people  from  l' -  rpi.oopal  dig- 
nity ;  80  too  we  trust  that  we  sliall  not  only  acquire  the  same, 
but  that  great  advantages  will  follow ;  inasmuch  as  thifi  church 
will  then  be  governed  in  that  manner  which  Christ  our  Lord 
instituted.     On  the  otiier  hand,  however,  it  occurs  that  as  the 
Most  Holy  Father  has  already  deigned  to  provide  otborwise 
for  conferring  the  sacrament  of  confirmation,  there  is  no  actu- 
al need  for  the  appointment  of  a  liisliop,  until  some  candidates 
are  found  fitted  to  receive  holy  orders;  this  we  hope  will  be 
the  case  in  a  few  years,  as  you  will  understand.  Most  Emi- 
ncMit  Cardinal,  from  a  special  relation  which  I  purpose  writing. 
When  that  time  comes,  we  sliiU  perhaps  be  better  able  to  make 
a  suitable  provision  for  a  bishop,  than  fmm  om-  slender  re- 
sources we  can  now  do. 

''  In  the  next  place,  if  it  shall  seem  best  to  his  Holiness  to  as- 
sign a  bishop  to  this  country,  will  it  be  l)est  to  appoint  a  Yicar- 
Apostilic  or  an  ordinary  with  a  see  of  his  own  'i  Which  will 
conduce  more  to  the  progress  of  Catholicity,  wliich  will  con- 


256 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


It  E 


.■'<:"■; 


i  .M 


'Vm  te 


tribute  most  to  remo\e  Protestant  jealousy  of  foreign  juris- 
diction ?  I  kno'AT  with  certainty  tl.at  this  fear  will  increas.' 
if  they  know  that  an  ecclesiastical  superior  is  so  appointed  J 
to  be  removable  from  office  at  the  pleasure  of  the  Sacred 
Congregation  'de  Propaganda  Fide,'  or  any  other  tribunal 
out  of  the  country,  or  that  he  has  no  power  to  admit  any 
priest  to  exercise  the  sacred  function,  uidess  that  Congrega- 
tion has  approved  and  sent  him  to  us. 

"As  to  the  method  of  nominating  a  bishop,  I  will  say  no 
more,  at  present,  than  this,  that  we  are  imploring  God  in  his 
wisdom  and  mercy  to  guide  the  judgment  of  the  Holy  See, 
that  if  it  does  not  seem  propei  to  allow  the  priests  who  have 
labored  for  so  many  years  in  this  vineyard  of  the  Lord  to 
propose  to  the  Holy  See,  the  one  whom  they  deem  most  fit, 
that  some  method  will  be  adopted  by  which  a  bad  feeling 
may  not  be  excited  among  the  people  of  this  country.  Catho- 
lic and  Protestant." 

He  urged  the  removal  of  the  restriction  by  which  he  was 
prevented  from  receiving  any  priests  but  those  sent  by  the 
Congregation  "de  Propaganda  Fide,"  and  alluded  especially 
to  the  cai^e  of  priests  born  in  the  United  States  and  ordained 
in  Europe,  many  of  whom  were  gradually  returning  to  this 
country,  but  who  on  arriving  found  that  they  could  not  exer- 
cise the  ministry,  however  competent,  until  they  had  ob- 
tained faculties  from  Rome. 

He  conmiended  the  Church  in  this  country  earnestly  to 
his  Eminence's  protection:  and  begged  him  to  "cast  his  eyes 
on  the  immense  territory  included  in  the  limits  of  the  United 
States,  witii  a  population  daily  increasing  by  the  influx  of 
immigrants  and  the  natural  gi  iwth  of  the  people.  The  true 
faitli  am  everywhere  be  freely  preached,  and  there  seems  no 
obstacle  to  our  deriving  great  fruit  from  this  liberty,  except 
the  want  of  priests  and  means  of  providing  for  them." 


r.  a 


DR.  CARROLL'S  REPORT. 


257 


The  Eelation  on  the  State  of  Religion  in  the  United  States 
which  he  forwarded  to  Cardinal  Antonelli,  was  as  follows: 

"  1,  There  are  in  Maryland  about  15,800  Catliolics ;  of  these 
there  are  about  0,000  freemen,  adults  or  over  twelve  years  of 
age ;  children  under  that  age,  about  3,000 ;  and  about  that 
number  of  slaves  of  all  ages  of  African  origin,  called  negroes. 
2.  There  are  in  Pennsylvania  about  7,000,'  very  few  of  whom 
are  negroes,  and  the  Catholics  are  less  scattered  and  live  nearer 
to  each  other,  3.  There  are  not  more  than  200  in  Virginia 
who  are  visited  four  or  five  times  a  year  by  a  priest.  Many 
other  Catholics  are  said  to  be  scattered  in  that  and  other  States, 
who  are  utterly  deprived  of  all  religious  ministry. 

"  In  the  State  of  New  York  I  hear  that  there  are  at  least 
1,500.  (Would  that  some  spiritual  succor  could  be  affonled 
them  !)  They  have  recently,  at  their  own  expense,  sent  for 
a  Franciscan  Father  from  Ireland,  and  he  is  said  to  have  the 
best  testimonials  as  to  his  learning  and  life  ;  he  had  arrived 
a  little  before  I  received  the  letters  in  which  faculties  w'ere 
transmitted  to  me,  communicable  to  my  fellow-priests.  I 
was  for  a  time  in  doubt  whether  I  could  properly  approve 
this  priest  for  the  administration  of  the  sacraments.  I  have 
now,  however,  decided,  especially  as  the  feast  of  Easter  is  so 
near,  to  consider  him  as  one  of  my  fellow-priests,  and  to 
grant  him  faculties,  and  I  trust  that  my  decision  will  meet 
your  approbation. 

"  As  to  the  Catholics  who  are  in  the  territory  bordering 
on  the  river  called  Mississippi  and  in  all  that  region  which 


'  Kev.  R.  Molyneux  to  Rev.  J.  Carroll,  December  7,  1784,  estimated 
1,0()0  oomraunicanta  in  Philadelphia,  200  in  country  ;  1,000  non-eomnui- 
nieants  over  twelve  years  of  age  in  Philadelphia  ;  at  Goshenhoppcn  under 
Rev.  J.  B.  de  Ritter  500  comnuinicant.s  ;  at  Lancaster  (Rev.  L.  Geissler), 
700  ;  at  Conewago  (Rev.  ,1.  Pelleutz),  1,000.  "  U.  S.  Cath.  Mag."  iv.,  p. 
250.    The  baptisms  in  Goshenhoppcn  and  its  missions  in  1785,  were  52. 


ft?  I 


^:tW| 


Eil 
ml  A 


-it  ■ 


258 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


following  that  river  extends  to  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  and  from 
it  extends  to  the  limits  of  Carolina,  Virginia  and  Pennsylva- 
nia,— this  tract  of  country  contains,  I  hear,  many  Catholics, 
formerly  Canadians,  who  speak  French,  and  I  fear  that  they 
are  destitute  of  priests.  Before  I  received  your  Eminence's 
letters  there  went  to  them  a  priest,  German  by  birth,  but 
who  came  last  from  France  ;  he  professes  to  belong  to  the 
Carmelite  order :  he  was  furnished  with  no  sufficient  testi- 
monials that  he  was  sent  by  his  lawful  superior.  What  he  is 
doing  and  what  is  the  condition  of  the  Church  in  those  parts, 
I  expect  soon  to  learn.  The  jurisdiction  of  the  Bishop  of 
Quebec  formerly  extended  to  some  part  of  that  region  ;  but 
I  do  not  know  whether  he  wishes  to  exercise  any  authority 
there  now,  that  all  these  parts  are  subjects  to  the  United 
States." 

Of  the  Condition,  Piety,  and  Defects,  etc.,  of  Catholics : 
"  In  Maryland  a  few  of  the  leading  more  wealthy  families 
still  profess  the  Catholic  faith  introduced  at  the  very  founda- 
tion of  the  province  by  their  ancestors.  The  greater  part  of 
them  are  planters  aiid  in  Pennsylvania  almost  all  are  farmers, 
except  the  merchants  and  mechanics  living  in  Philadelphia. 
As  for  piety,  they  are  for  the  most  part  sufficiently  assiduous 
in  the  exercises  of  religion  and  in  fre<]uentiTig  the  sacraments, 
but  they  lack  that  fervor,  which  fiequent  appeals  to  the  sen- 
timent of  piety  usually  produce,  as  many  congregiitions  hoar 
the  word  of  God  only  once  a  month,  and  sometimes  only 
once  in  two  months.  We  are  reduced  to  this  by  want  of 
priests,  by  the  distance  of  congregations  from  each  otiier  and 
by  difficulty  of  travelling.  This  refers  to  Catholics  born 
here,  for  the  condition  of  the  Catholics  who  in  great  num- 
l)ors  are  flowing  in  here  from  difTerent  countries  of  Europe, 
is  very  ditlerent.     For  while  there  are  few  of  our  native 


DR.  CARROLL'S  REPORT. 


259 


Catholics,  who  do  not  aj)proach  the  sacraments  of  Penance 
and  the  Holy  Eucharist,  at  least  once  a  year,  especially  in 
Easter  time,  you  can  scarcely  find  any  among  the  newcomers 
who  discharge  this  duty  of  religion,  and  there  is  reason  to 
fear  that  the  example  will  be  very  pernicious  especially  in 
commercial  towns. 

"  The  abuses  that  have  grown  among  Catholics  are  chiefly 
those,  which  result  from  unavoidable  intercourse  with  non- 
Catholics,  and  the  examples  thence  derived  :  namely  more  free 
intercourse  between  young  people  of  opposite  sexes  than  is 
compatible  with  chastity  in  mind  and  body  ;  too  great  fond- 
ness for  dances  and  similar  amusements ;  and  an  incredible 
eagerness,  especially  in  girls,  for  reading  love  stories  which 
are  brought  over  in  great  quantities  from  Europe.  Then 
among  other  things,  a  general  lack  of  care  in  instructing 
their  children  and  especially  the  negro  slaves  in  their  relig- 
ion, as  these  people  are  kept  constantly  at  work,  so  that  they 
rarely  hear  any  instructions  from  the  priest,  unless  tliey  can 
spend  a  short  time  with  one  ;  and  most  of  them  are  conse- 
<]uently  very  dull  in  faith  and  depraved  in  morals.  It  can 
scarcely  be  believed  how  much  trouble  and  care  they  give 
the  pastors  of  souls. 

"  o.  How  many  priests  are  there  here,  their  qualifications, 
character  and  means  of  support  ? 

"  There  are  19  priests  in  Maryland  and  five  in  Pennsylva- 
nia.'    Of  these  two  are  more  than  seventy  years  old.  and 


'  The  nineteen  priests  in  Maryland  were  apparently  Very  Rev.  John 
f'arroll,  Prefect- Apostolic ;  Rev.  John  Lewis,  Bohemia  ;  Rev.  James 
Walton,  at  St.  Ini;?oes ;  Rev.  Henry  Pile,  Newport ;  Rev.  Benedict 
Neale,  Rev.  Ignatius  ^Matthews,  at  St.  Thomas'  Manor  ;  Revs.  J.  Ashtou, 
Sylvester  Poarman,  Port  Tol)ac(.'o ;  Rev.  Leonard  Neale ;  Rev.  Charles 
Sewall,  Baltimore ;  Rev.  Joseph  Mosley,  St.  Joseph's ;  Revs.  Augustine 
Jenkins,  John  Bolton,  Francis  Beeston,  Lewis  Roels,  Thomas  Digges. 
Bernard  Diderick,  John  Boone  ;  Rev.  James  Frambach,  at  Fredericktown  ; 


5V    '! 


'  Vfl^b^^J^'iVft  «i4v  V 


260 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


three  others  very  near  that  age  :  and  they  are  consequently 
almost  entirely  unfit  to  undergo  the  hardships,  without  which 
this  vineyard  of  the  Lord  cannot  be  cultivated.  Of  the  re- 
maining priests  some  are  in  very  bad  health,  and  there  is  one 
recently  approved  by  me  for  a  few  months  only,  that  in  the 
extreme  want  of  priests  I  may  give  him  a  trial :  for  some 
things  were  reported  of  him,  which  made  me  averse  to  em- 
ploying him.  I  will  watch  him  carefully,  and  if  anything 
occurs  unworthy  priestly  gravity  I  will  recall  the  faculties 
granted,  whatever  inconvenience  this  may  bring  to  many 
Catholics :  for  I  am  convinced  that  the  Catholic  faith  will 
suffer  less  harm,  if  for  a  short  time  there  is  no  priest  at  a 
place,  than  if  living  as  we  do  among  fellow-citizens  of  an- 
other religion,  we  admit  to  the  discharge  of  the  sacred  min- 
istry, I  do  not  say  bad  priests,  but  incautious  and  imprudent 
priests.  All  the  other  clergymen  lead  a  life  full  of  labor,  as  each 
one  attends  congregations  far  apart,  and  has  to  be  riding  con- 
stantly and  with  great  fatigue,  especially  to  sick  calls. 

"  Priests  are  maintained  chiefly  from  the  proceeds  of  the 
estates ;  elsewhere  by  the  liberality  of  the  Catholics.  There 
is  properly  no  ecclesiastical  i>roperty  here  :  for  the  property 
by  which  the  priests  are  supported,  is  held  in  the  names  of 
individuals  and  transferred  by  will  to  devisees.  This  couree 
was  rendered  necessary  when  the  Catholic  religion  was 
cramped  here  by  laws,  and  no  remedy  nas  yet  been  found 
for  this  difficulty,  although  we  made  an  earnest  effort  last 
year. 

"  There  is  a  college  in  Philadelphia,  and  it  is  proposed  to 
estiiblish  two  in  Maryland,  in  which  Catholics  can  be  admit- 
ted, as  well  iis  others,  as  presidents,  professors  and  pupils. 

the  five  in  Philadelpliia  were  Revs.  Rolwrt  Molyncux,  Ferdinand  Farmer, 
Philadelpliia  ;  .James  Pellentz,  Conewugo;  Luke  CJeissler,  Lancaster,  and 
.lolin  B.  de  Ritter,  Goshenliopjwn. 


LETTER  TO  PRINCE  DORIA  PAMPHILI.      261 


We  Lope  that  some  educated  there  v/ill  embrace  the  ecclesi- 
tmtical  state.  We  think  accordingly  of  estabhsliing  a  semi- 
nary, in  wliich  they  can  bo  trained  to  the  life  and  learning 
suited  to  that  state."  ' 

On  the  same  day  lie  replied  to  the  letter  of  Prince  Doria 
Pamphili,  Archbishop  of  Seleueia  and  Apostolic  Nuncio  >»t 
Paris,  thanking  him  for  the  services  he  had  rendered  the 
Catholics  in  this  country  and  begging  his  future  protection. 
In  this  letter,  also,  Kev.  Dr.  Carroll  laid  stress  on  the  great 
jealousy  felt  in  the  United  States  of  any  foreign  dependence 
even  in  ecclesiastical  matters,  but  renewing  the  assurance  of 
the  absolute  fidelity  of  the  Catholics  in  the  United  States  to 
the  Holy  See." 

Having  thus  accepted  a  position  which  he  declared  to  be 
"  a  very  delicate  one  in  this  country  and  very  laborious,"  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  entered  on  the  discharge  of  its  duties.  So 
fearful  wsis  he  that  trouble  would  arise  if  the  nature  of  his 
position  was  made  known  to  the  clergy  and  faithful  in  gen- 
eral, that  he  did  not  transmit  copies  of  the  documents  which 
he  had  received  from  Eome,  but  communicated  his  appoint- 
ment to  the  presiding  priest  in  each  district,  that  it  might  be 
imparted  to  the  rest. 

On  the  12tli  of  January,  1785,  he  transmitted  to  Rev. 
Ferdinand  Farmer  and  Rev.  Leonard  Neale  at  Philadelphia 
power  to  publish  the  Jubilee,  which  was  extended  to  the 
United  States  from  November  20,  1784,  to  November  26, 
1785.  As  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  had  added  a  special  com- 
mission, empowering  him  to  exchange  the  enjoined  exer- 
cises of  piety  into  other  good  works.  Dr.  Carroll  wrote : 


HI 


41 


'  "  Relatio  pro  Eminentissimo  Cardinali  Autonello  de  statu  religionis 
iu  UnitiH  Fa?d.  Ainericue  proviuciis." 
»  Letter  February  27,  1785. 


263 


L7FE  OP  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


!5  R 


t*  ( 


V'k 


\  <> 


i!  i-% 


"As  the  circumstances  of  the  country  do  not  admit  of 
the  faithful  visiting  four  differen*;  churclies,  in  lieu  thereof 
be  plefiaed  to  Jireet  :    1,   that   the   inhabitants  of   towniv 
where  there  is  a  chapel  convenient  for  the  purpose,  with 
the  Blessed  Sacrament  kept  in  it,  must  visit  the  said  chapel 
fifteen  successive  or  interruptfld  days,  and  there  flevoutb' 
recite  either  the  Litany  of  tin;  Saints  or  Seven  Our  Fathers 
and   seven  Hail   Marys,  &c.,  for  the   iiit(';ntion   expressed 
in   his   Holiness'   constitution  :    ..\  that  tLey    who  live  in 
the  country,  or  in  other  places  uof;  having  the;  convenience 
of  a  chapel  with  the  Blessed  Sacrament  kept  in  it,  or  wlio 
living  in  towns  having  such  a  chapel,  are  nevertlk-less  de- 
prived of  all  o|!portunity  of  visiting  it,  being  servant,-  or 
slaves,  shall  'ikcwife  recite  the  Lituny  aforesaid,  or  seven 
times  the  Lor d  s  prf=yf.r  and   Angelical  Salutation  for  the 
space  of  fifteen  t^-ivR,  eichor  continued  or  interrupted      ;^, 
that  on  two  Frida\b  hapixntag  within  the  term  of  perform- 
ing the  devotioTis  aforesaid,  all  persons  obliged  to  keep  the 
usual  fasts  of  the  church  and  who  are  desirous  of  gaining  xVm 
benefit  of  the  Jubilee,  shall  likewise  kee))  fast ;   and  they 
whose  hcitlth,  age,  or  other  lawful  cause,  exempts  them  from 
fasting  at  otlier  times,  on  the  Fridays  aforesaid  shall  recite 
either  the  Seven  Penitential  Psalms,  or  twice  Seven  Our 
Fathers  and  Hail  Marys. 

"  And  I  hope  that  you  will  appoint  to  your  respective  con- 
gregations a  time  for  the  commencement  of  their  devotions 
for  gaining  the  Jubilee,  in  which  you  may  remain  several 
days  amongst  them,  and  that  they  begin  their  spiritual  exer- 
cises by  seeking  in  the  Sacrament  of  Penance  their  reconcili- 
j^Hon  with  Ahi.ighty  God,  and  recovery  of  a  state  of  grace, 
if  needfid  ;  ind  likewise  that  they  have  a?i  o|)portunity  to 
conclude  all  the  other  penitential  works  with  receiving  tlio 
Blessed  Sacrament." 


CALLS  FOR  PRIESTS. 


263 


The  Very  Rev.  Prefect  did  uot  at  once  publish  any  Lenten 
Regulations,  but  added :  "  Finding  it  impossible,  till  I  bave 
better  opportunity  of  conversing  with  the  several  gentlemen, 
to  fix  a  general  and  equitable  rule  of  keeping  Lent  for  all  the 
different  congregations,  I  request  each  of  you  to  ma\e  such 
regulations  for  this  year,  for  those  under  your  charge,  as  you 
ehall,  in  prudence,  think  proper."  ' 

The  general  condition  of  the  Church  in  the  United  States, 
so  far  as  he  knew  it,  was  given  in  his  Report  to  the  Propa- 
ganda :  but  he  soon  found  i^  necessary  to  write :  "  The  pros- 
pect before  us  is  immense,  but  the  want  of  cultivators  to  en- 
ter the  field  and  improve  it  is  a  dreadful  and  discouraging 
circumstance.     I  receive  applications  from  ever-  part  of  the 
United  States,  North,  South,  and  West,  for  clergymen,  and 
considerable  property  is  offered  for  their  maintenance ;  but  it 
is  impossible  and  cruel  to  abandon  the  congregations  already 
formed  to  go  in  quest  of  people  who  wish  to  be  established 
into  new  ones.     I  have  written  in  a  pressing  n:anner  to  all 
whom  I  conceive  likely  to  come  to  our  assistance,  and  I  hope 
you  will  urge  the  return  hither  of  Charles  and  Francis  Neale, 

Leonard  Brooks,  and  Thompson,  if  his  health  will  allow. 

Encourage  all  you  can  meet  with,  Europeans  or  Americans, 
to  conie  among  us.  We  hope  soon  to  have  a  sum  of  money 
lodged  in  London  to  pay  the  passage  of  six  at  least." ' 

He  learned,  too,  soon  after  his  appointm  Mt  that  there  were 
priests  already  in  the  country,  who  had  held  no  intercourse 
with  the  older  missioners.  Some  of  these  had  been  chaplains 
in  the  French  service,  and  returned  or  been  recalled  by  con- 
gregations.    Among  these  were  the  Rev.  Charles  Whelan,  a 


I  Very  Rev.  John  Carroll  to  Rev.  Messrs.  Farmer  and  Neale,  January 
12,  1785. 
'  Same  to  Rev.  Charles  Plowden,  June  29,  1785. 


Wf  W 


<  •*; 


'l; 


<  i 


'  i  ) 


III 


i^ 


264  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

Capuchin,  wlio,  invited  by  the  Catholics  of  New  York,  had 
recently  arrived ;  the  Rev.  Father  Paul  or  Mr.  de  St.  Pierre, 
a  discalced  Carmelite,  of  German  birth,  but  who  had  been 
chaplain  in  the  French  service;  Rev.  J.  R  Cuusse,  and  tlie 
Suli)itian  Iluet  de  la  Valiiiiere,  who,  expelled  from  Canada 
for  his  advocacy  of  the  American  cause,  had  since  been  at- 
tending Canadians  and  Acadians  within  the  American  lines. 
Tlie  Holy  See  in  establishing  the  prefecture  looked  forward 
to  a  supply  of  priests,  and  offered  to  educate  two  young  men 
at  the  Propaganda;  but  at  the  moment  Dr.  Carroll  d?d  not 
see  his  way  to  profit  by  this  offer.     The  King  of  France,  in 
this  instance  evincing  a  real  interest  in  the  Church  in  this 
country,  also  offered  eight  free  places  in  the  Seminary  of 
Bordeaux  for  Xorth-American  CathoUc  youths  born  subjects 
of  the  United  States.' 

^  Of  the  new  congregations  that  had  been  formed  in  the 
Tnited  States  after  the  peace,  the  most  important  was  that  of 
Kew  York.     Before  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution- 
ary war.  Father  Farmer  had  visited  that  city,  and  according 
to  two  French  dispatches,  the  Catholics  actually  liad  a  churcii 
which  was  burnt  during  the  war,  apparently  in  the  great  fire 
that  followed  the  retreat  of  Wasliington's  army.'    As  soon  as 
the  city  was  evacuated  by  the  British  troops,  Rev.  Mr.  Far- 
mer came  opeidy  to  the  city  and  organized  the  little  body  of 
the  faithful.     The  number  of  Catholics  was  inconsiderable, 
and  many  of  them,  though  long  deprived  of  the  sacraments, 
showed  little  inclination  to  frequent  them.     At  the  close  of 
1784,  the  venerable  priest,  who  must  have  visited  New  York 
during  the  term  of  his  Jersey  missions,  which  took  up  from 


■  Rev.  Mr.  Tliorpo  to  Very  Rev.  .1.  Carroll.  Romp,  August  31.  1785. 
'  Barbu  Marbois  to  Vcrgennes,  December  20,  1784  ;  Otto  to  same  Jan- 
uary  2,  1786. 


iiii 


REV.   CHARLES   WHELAN. 


265 


April  to  June  and  the  month  of  October,  could  reckon  only 
eiVhteen  coniinuniciintH,  three  of  whom  were  Germans.' 

Ill  Octoher,  1784,  the  Rev.  Charles  Whelan,  who  had  served 
as  a  chaplain  on  Do  Grasse's  fleet,  and  who  had  apparently 
returned  to  Ireland  after  the  defeat  of  that  Admiral,  arrived 
ill  New  York,'  having  been  invited  by  the  Catholics  of  that 
Hty ;  and  the  venerable  Mr.  Farmer  gladly  committed  the 
cure 'of  the  faithful  there  to  him.     The  Ilev.  Dr.  Carroll  was 
perplexed  as  to  his  authority  in  regard  to  him.     He  could 
not  grant  faculties  to  any  one  who  was  not  sent  or  approved 
by  the  Propaganda,  and  he  at  tirst  intimated  to  Father  Whelan 
that  he  had  no  power  to  grant  him  faculties.     On  further 
consideration,  however,  he  decided  that  all  priests  actually  in 
the  country  before  the  decree  of  his  appointment  reached 
him  were  made  sharers  in  the  faculties  granted,  and  he  au- 
thorized the  Capuchin  Father  to  proceed.     It  was  a  sign  of 
coining  ditiiculties  that  Father  Wlielau  officiated  without 
waiting  for  faculties." 

New  York  was  then  the  capital  of  the  United  States  and 
the  residence  of  the  foreign  ministers,  several  of  whom  were 
Catholics,  and  while  Congress  was  in  session,  Catholic  mem- 
bers resided  here.  All  this  gave  a  social  influence  that  en- 
couraged the  faithful.     The  little  flock  was  too  poor,  how- 


1  Rev  F  Farmer  to  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll,  May  10-16,  1785.  Tlie 
Reirister  of  Rev.  F.  Farmer  has  no  allusion  to  any  mission  in  New  \  oik. 
Several  years  ago  Rt.  Rev.  I)r.  Bayley,  then  Bishop  of  Newark  told  me 
that  he  understood  that  the  Register  mentioned  his  visiting  Wall  btreet. 
I  twice  carefully  examined  the  Register,  and  could  find  only  a  mention 
of  the  Wallkill,  a  well-known  stream  of  water  in  New  Jersey. 

•'  It  would  seem  that  Father  Whelan  at  first  acted  merely  as  private 
chaplain  to  a  Portuguese  merchant,  apparently  Jose  Ruiz  Silva.  Don 
Diego  de  Gardmiui  to  Conde  d(>  Floridablanca,  New  York,  July  io. 
1785. 

»  Very  Rev.  John  Carroll  to  Rev.  Mr.  Whelan.  April  16,  1785. 

12 


266 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


ever,  t(.  secure  at  once  a  permanent  place  where  they  ootild 
asHemble  for  divine  worshii).  Tl'i^y  »"«^t  in  vari.  w  hulls  of 
which  they  could  obtain  teinporary  use. 

The  French  ernl>  ver^y  was  tr  asferred  to  New  York,  and 
with  it,  the  cha,  '  lii,  an'  ',i<  whole  chapel  outht.     On  tlie 
2Tth  of  March,  1785,  Barbe  Marbois  wrote  with  characteiis- 
tic  complacency,  "The  establinhment  of  the  Legation  cliapd 
at  New  York  will  give  the  Catholics  of  that  cit}-  all  the 
Hpiritual  aid  that  diey  can  desire."  "     Rut  th.>rr»h  the  chaplain 
remained  after  the  departure  of  tU  uunister,  there  is  i:o  trace 
of  any  services  rendered  by  him  to  the  Catholics  in  New 
York,  tliough  he  did  act  as  chaplain  at  the  Spanish  embassy,^ 
The  one  to  whom  the  Catholics  of  the  great  city  owe  most 
is  Ileclor  St.  John  de  Crevecoeur,  Consul-General  of  France, 
who  had  served  brilliantly  under  Montcalm  in  Canada,  aii.l 
af  fer  the  war  became  a  fanner  in  New  York.     Though  by  1,0 
means  a  fervent  Catholie,  St.  John  de  Crevecanir,  who  lia<i 
I'cpiired  influence  here  by  his  "  Letters  of  an  American  Far- 
mer,'' seems  to  have  taken  the  lead  in  organizing  the  Catli.,- 
lics  in  the  city,  and  inspiring  them  with  courage.     In  their 
name  he  applied  in  April,  17S5,  to  the  city  authorities  for  the 
use  of  the  Exchange  on  iJroad  Street,  a  building  then  entirely 
unoccupied ;  but  the  Common  Council  refused  to  permit  the 


'  Barbe  Marboia.  Trenton.  December  W,  1784;  Philadelphia,  March 

■'  Dii'jro  de  Qardo(iui  to  Conde  de  Floridiibl;.  a,  New  York  July  "5 
1.8,..  Rev.  Mr.  Farm,  ..vas  evi.lc.tiy  in  N  York  nl..  r  .'i.is  ti,,;;; 
His  HcgLster  records  the  f..„ti.sm  May  2,  178.'i,  ut  Catharine.  I.orn  Octn- 
I'l-r  ,^1,  l,8;i,  of  William  Byron  and  Wilhelmina,  the  sponsors  l.ein-'  Put- 
nck  rode  un<l  Surah  Canane.      He  then  visited  his  .Jersey  mi.s"sions 

He  ,H  no  more  fit  to  take  'ui  journey,"  wrot-   Father  Moly.„ux  when 
his  .wRoc.ate  set  out  in  Apr!!,  -than  I  am  to  f.si  forty  .lays  and  nlLrhts 
like  ht.  StyliU'8  without  ealinfr  or  drinking."     Letter  to  Dr.  Carroll 
April  23,  1785.     "  U.  8.  Cath.  Map.."  iv.,  p.  lOf.  ' 


NEW   YORK'S  FIRST  CHURCH. 


267 


Catholics  to  asHemble  there  on  Sunday.'     St.  John  de  Crcve- 
viVAxr  resented  the  act  iis  un  indignity  to  himself  and  the  Catho- 
lic body.    Roused  by  him,  tlu^  Catholicsof  New  York  resolved 
to  secure  Rrouud  and  erect  a  church.   A  law  had  been  passed 
for  the  incorporation  of  religious  societies,  and  under  itsprovi- 
HJ,  .s  St.  John  de  Crevecunir,  Jose  Ruiz  Silva,  James  Slew- 
art,  and  Henry  Diitliii  were  incorporated  on  the  lOtli  of  June, 
178.5,  as  "The  Trustees  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  in 
the  City  of  New  York."     There  was  some  ditttculty  in  ob- 
taining a  site,  but  during  the  summer  Father  Whelan,  guided, 
it  is  said,  by  Mr.  Silva's  judgment,  bought  a  lease  of  live  lots 
0:1  Barclay  Street  extending  to  Church.     A  carpenter's-shop 
standing  on  this  ground  became  a  temporary  church  building 
tor  the  i  atholic  body  on  New  York  Isl'-'d.     In  August, 
Trinity  Church,  which  owned  the  fee,  en     araged  the  little 
Hock  of  Catholics  by  agreeing  to  sell  them  the  reversion  on 
easy  terms,  and  more  than  fulfilled  the  promise.'     Castigli- 
(ini.  an  Italian  traveller  here  at  the  time,  mentions  the  poor 
plate  in  which  the  holy  sacrifice  was  offered,  and   states 
that  ilie   congregation,   which   was  neitlier  numerous   nor 
rich,  evinced  i'ood-will  in  their  endeavor  to  erect  a  suitable 

church.' 

The  SpaiiiRh  imni^ti  r,  not  to  be  without  means  of  hearing 
mass  eve  '  Sundays  and  holidays,  applied  to  his  govern- 
ment  f(  .  chapl'^'  nd  <■  ipel.  The  King  of  Spain  readily 
granted  the  reqi,  1  lather  John  O'Connell,  then  Vicar 


•  Irf^ter  of  Catholics  to  Mr.  de  CreveocEur  to  obtain  of  the  city  a  site 
for  n  clmri  I  .— Crfivcca'ur's  petition  to  the  Common  Council.  "  Arcliives 
des  Aflfnir(\s  F.triing^rea."    Carton  du  (^onsuli*  ile  New  York,  1783-8. 

»  Recorila  of  Trinity.  Reply  of  Trinity  Church,  "  Archives  des  Af- 
faires Etraiig^ros." 

^Lui/1  Castiglioni,  "Viaggio  negli  Stuti  I  Milano,  1790,  i.,  p. 

177. 


'208 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  VAHHOLL. 


of  the  Hospital  of  tlie  Irisli  D().iilnu'nn«  at  Bilhoa,  wm  ,,. 
Ic-tecJ,  aiKl  arrivod  M^y  17,  178«5.  Soilor  (Janloqui'o.uleu, " 
ored  to  obtain  plate  and  vestn.entH  for  lii«  diapel  at  New 
<  ileann,  but  failing',  purcliased  of  John  Ixjuniy  i„  p|,ila,|el. 
pliia  vesttnentH,  a  nilver  ehalieu,  erueiHx,  and  eandleHliek^ 
will,  all  other  recjuiHiten  for  a  chapel,  for  six  hundmJ  and' 
nine  dolIarH  and  one  rcii 

New  York  had  thus  two  legation  chapels  and  a  clMirel, 
I)(-gun.    The  French  chaplain  did  not  renniin  long,  hut  Father 
O'Coiuiell,  I)e8ide8  his  duties  at  the  ernbaBsj-,  seems  to  have 
done  mission  work  in  the  iniy.     He  solicited  the  ordinary 
faculties  gi.uited  to  nussionuries  to  enable  him  to  exerci^. 
the  nn'tiistry  and  give  aid  to  the  Catholics  in  New  York 
Such  faculties  were  actuall)^  granted  hy  the  Archbishop  of 
Corinth,  Papal  Nuncio  to  the  Spanish  Court,  at  tho  rcpiest 
of  the  King.     He  was  the  first  of  the  Irish  Dominicans  to 
servo  in  this  country,  and  syv  may  infer  that  he  paved  the 
way  for  the  brilliant,  able,  and  good  priests  of  the  Irish  prov- 
ince, who  subsequently  labored  in  New  York  and   Phila- 
delphia.' 

The  soldiers  of  «  Congress'  Own,"  the  two  Canadian  rei-i- 
nients  and  their  families,  were  left  at  the  close  of  the  war  hi 
great  distress.  Many  of  them,  with  other  Canadian  refugees 
gathered  near  Fishkill  till  the  State  of  New  York  set  a^rM'X 
lands  for  them  near  Lake  Champlain.  The  general  govern- 
ment provided  transportation,  and  in  the  summer  of  JT^ti 
two  hundred  and  fifty  were  conveyed  to  iheir  new  liomes  in 


'  Dioffo  do  Gnr<lo(j(ii  to  Condo  do  Floridublaiica.  New  York  Jtilv  '>', 
178,5;  May  20.  1780;  I),.«-mlK-r  fi.  1787.  Letter  of  OlanuMidi'  Madrid' 
I)ece.nlK.r  22.  178.", ;  .lanuary  12.  March  13.  1780.  Lfttcr  to  Archbish",,,; 
(•orintli,  San  Il.lcfonso.  .July  28,  1787,  from  Archbishop.  July  31  1787 
FatluT  O'ConncirH  name  appears  as  u  .subscriber  in  Carey  "American 
Museum."  iii..  p.  5.     He  left  New  York  toward  the  close  of  1789. 


REV.  MR.  PELLKNTZ'S  ZEAL. 


900 


(MiHzy  and  CooperHville.'  They  were  thuB  within  accefis  of 
tl.o  (Jatliolic  "Icrgy  in  Canada,  hut  in  tiiat  province  the  hau 
of  exconununication  rested  on  them.  Hence  they  were  h)ng 
without  a  pricHt,  and  though  they  UHHernhknl  to  Hay  m;m 
pn.y."r«  and  mng  their  old  hynniH,  many  in  time  were  loHt  to 

tl.c  faith." 

Hi-yond  Now  York  a  few  CathoHcs  wore  to  bo  found  at 
HoHton,  hilt  they  had  aH  yet  made  no  attempt  to  obtain  a 
pritHt  or  a  place  for  divine  service. 

The  Penohwot  IndiaiiH  in  the  District  of  Maine  were  at- 
tended by  a  priest  from  Montreal,  but  some  of  the  younger 
,„..ti  had  been  drawn  away  by  Protestant  ministers,  and  the 
priest,  fearing  for  his  life,  h:id  withdrawn  to  an  island  in  the 

river. 

The  German  priests  were  gradually  sinking,  and  Rev.  Mr. 
IVllentz  wrote  about  this  time  to  a  friend  in  Germany  that 
some  clergymen  from  that  country  were  much  needed  in 
IVnnsylvania,  and  that  if  one  or  two  selected  and  recommend- 
ed by  hif  friend  would  come,  their  passages  should  be  paid  ; 
and  Ucv.  Mr.  Pellentz  devoted  £100  to  meet  this  expense.' 

This  letter  fell  into  the  hands  of  an  officious  clergyman  at 
Mentz,  who  had  it  printed  in  an  ecclesiastical  journal  in  that 
city.  This  induced  two  Capuchin  Fathers  to  come  over  in 
17S7  without  any  further  correspondence.'  Other  priests 
followed  unsolicited  and  unexpected. 


'  Notice  of  Udney  Hay  to  Canadia*.  Refugees,  .July  8,  1786,  in  "  New 
York  Packet." 

'  SiuUli.  "  A  History  of  the  Diocese  of  Ogdensburg,"  New  York,  pp. 
157-8 ;  13,  31-28. 

'  r^etter  of  Right  Rev.  .John  C  (irroll,  A»ig\ist  24,  1798. 

*  One  of  these  Capuchins,  Rev.  Charles  Ilelbron,  was  recalled  to  Eu- 
rope, ami  became  one  of  the  inartyr,Hl  priests  of  the  French  Revolution. 
Cardinal  Awtonelli  to  Bishop  Carroll,  August  14,  1790. 


270  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

About  the  same  time  the  venerable  Ferdinand  Farmer  in 
letters  from  Germany,  heard  of  the  character  and  estimab;. 
qualities  of  Rev.  Lawrence  Graessel,  who  was  in  the  novitiate 
of  the  Society  of  Jesns  at  the  time  of  the  suppression  an.] 
had  since  been  ordained  a  priest.'    Rev,  Mr.  Farmer  earnestly 
invited  him  to  ^vc  his  services  to  the  country  which  he  him 
.self  had  bedewed  with  his  sweat,  and  expressed  tlie  pleasmv 
he  should  feel  in  having  him  as  his  fellow-laborer.     Rev 
Mr.  Graessel  resigned  his  position,  already  one  of  imi)ortance 
with  flattering  prospects  of  preferment,  and  hastened  acros>! 
the  Atlantic  to  place  himself  under  the  venerable  Mr.  Farmui 


yoi^ 


y^OJi^C 


FAC-SIMILE  OF  SIONATtTRE  OP  REV.    AL.    GRAESSEL. 

Before  he  arrived,  however,  that  laborious  missionary  had 

breathed  his  last.     The  Very  Rev.  Carroll,  carrying  out  the 

mnvs  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Farmer,  placed  Mr.  Gra;ssel  and  the 

Jiev.  Francis  Beeston,  an  English  priest  who  had  recently 

arrived  in  this  country,  as  assistants  to  Rev.  Rcbert  Molvnciix 

at  St.  Joseph's  and  St.  Mary's  churches,  Philadelphia,  Wm. 

the  German  ,,riest  especial  charge  of  his  countrymen.     The 

former  church  was  still  used  for  service,  for  the  venerable 

I'armer  states  in  one  of  his  last  letters  that  it  was  genenllv 

crowded  full  at  the  first  mass.' 

'  Kov.  F.  Farmer  to  Very  liov.  J.  Carroll.  March  13.  1785. 


CATHOLICS  IN  KENTUCKY. 


271 


The  peace  established  in  1783,  throwing  open  the  country 
to  iiiimigration,  and  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi  to  settle- 
ment, produced  great  changes  in  the  Catholic  body  in  the 
United  States,  by  removals  within  and  emigration  from  wlth- 

(iiit. 

People  came  from  Europe  to  seek  their  fortunes  or  fix 
their  homes  in  the  New  Republic,  and  thronged  the  seaports 
on  the  Atlantic  from  Boston  to  Savannah.  Not  a  few  of 
tliese  were  Catholics,  and  little  bodies  of  the  faithful  gath- 
ered in  Boston,  New  York,  and  Charleston,  while  others 
penetrated  inland  to  join  friends  or  relatives. 

At  the  same  time  a  movement  to  colonize  the  West  spread 
tlirough  the  country  on  the  Atlantic  coast.  Catholics  were 
influenced  by  the  general  feeling.  From  several  parts  of 
Maryland  bodies  began  to  move  toward  Kentucky.'  In 
roimsylvania  Catholics  in  the  old  mission  districts  of  Cone- 
wago  and  Goshenhoppen,  who  had  toiled  in  the  less  product- 
ive parts  of  the  State,  looked  longingly  toward  the  fertile 
lands  beyond  the  Alleghanies. 

Maryland  Catholics  began  to  emigrate  to  Kentucky  as  early 
as  1774,  WilHam  Coomes  and  Dr.  George  Hart  being  the 
])ioneers,  and  in  this  year  (1785)  twenty-Hve  families  of  a 
league  of  sixty  Catholic  families  set  out  from  St.  Mary's 
County,  Maryland,  to  settle  on  lands  which  they  had  taken 
u])  on  Pottiiiger's  Creek.'  The  iiist  jmest  to  visit  them  was 
the  Carmelite,  Rev.  Paul  de  St.  Pierre,  who  was  at  Baltimore 


'  The  Spanish  government  endeavored  to  draw  sonic  of  tliese  to  Flor- 
iilii.  Rev.  ('.  Whehin  to  Don  Diego  de  Gardoqui,  Leouardtown,  March 
•21.  17S7. 

■' Wcl)!),  "  Tiie  Centenary  of  Catholieity  in  Kentucky,"  Louisville, 
18S4,  pp.  27-8;  Spalding,  "  Sketches  of  the  Eiirly  Catholic  Missions  of 
Kentucky."  pp.  23,  25  ;  "  U.  S.  Catholic  Miscellany,"  iii.,  p.  337,  Deceni- 
licr  1,  1824. 


i  ■! 

If 


m~*>*^«r^^^.^^''w  rvmr^' 


M 


273 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


If*. 


in  1784,  endeavoring  to  obtain  faculties,  and  set  out  by  way 
of  Pittsburgh  for  the  West.  He  was  at  Louisville  in  Febru- 
ary, and  wrote  to  Dr.  Carroll  that  he  intended  visiting  tin- 
Catliolics  in  Kentucky  several  times  a  year,  taking  up  hk 
residence  near  Mr.  Lancaster.'  He  did  not,  however,  remain, 
but  appears  at  Vincennes  and  Cahokia  from  1785  to  1787.' 

The  next  year  another  party  of  Catholics  settled  on  Hard- 
in's Creek.  In  1787  Eardstown  was  the  home  of  anotlior 
cluster  of  Catholic  families ;  and  the  Rev.  Charles  Whelan 
from  Maryland,  after  a  journey  fraught  with  peril,  took  up 
his  residence  among  the  pioneers  at  Pottinger's  Creek,  and 
remained  till  the  spring  of  1790,  visiting  several  stations',  but 


3>-y^t^iJ-^^Xjzu^ 


FAC-BIMILE  OF  8IGNATDKE  OF  KEV.    PAUL  DE  ST.    PIERRE. 


he  did  not  erect  a  church  or  chapel.  Becoming  involved  in 
trouble  with  some  of  his  flock  he  withdrew  from  KcJitucky. 
The  Dominican  Father  William  de  Rohan,  in  1787  erected 
the  Church  of  the  Holy  Cross  at  Pottinger's  Creek,  the  cra- 
dle of  Catho!i<-ity  in  Kentucky.  It  was  the  first  structure 
for  Catholic  worship  erected  in  tlie  State.' 

The  report  and  letter  of  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  gave  much 
pleasure  to  the  Cardinal  Prefect  and  to  his  Holiness  when 
they  were  communicated  to  him.     Cardinal  Antonelli  ox- 


'  Very  Rev.  .lohn  Carroll  to  [Rev.  Mr.  dc  St.  Pierrt'l  August  19. 1785 
■'  Ref,nst(.r  of  Vmcnmos,  March  IW,  1785.     "  Lcttrc  des  nal)it4in8  des 
Calios  i\  M.  Lavalinicre,"  22  Avril,  1787. 

»  Wfbb,  •'  Thp  C.Titpniiry  of  Catholicity  in  Kentucky,"  p.  32  Letter 
of  Ri'v.  Mr.  St,  I>i,.rre  to  V.tv  Rev.  .John  Carroll ;  "  6ri«ine  et  ProKri^s 
de  la  Miiwion  du  Kentucky,"  Paris,  1821,  pp.  1-2. 


DR.  CARROLL'S  VISITATION. 


273 


pressed  all  this  in  a  letter  dated  July  23,  1785,  in  which  ho 
iissnred  Dr.  Carroll  that  it  had  been  the  intention  of  the 
Sovereign  Pontiff  to  appoint  hini  as  the  first  to  hold  the 
episcopal  dignity.  The  erection  of  a  Vicariate  or  See  was 
(leferred,  however,  in  conformity  with  the  wish  of  the 
American  clergy,  and  they  were  even  permitted  for  this  lirst 
t)eca8ion  to  nominate  a  candidate.  It  was  further  stated  that 
the  Sacred  Congregation  would  have  no  difficulty  in  consent- 
in"-  that  in  future  the  missionaries  should  nominate  two  or 
three  from  whom  the  Sacred  Congregation  would  make  a  se- 
lection. 

As  it  was  deemed  better  to  defer  the  appointment  till  pro- 
vision had  been  made  for  continuing  the  supply  of  mission- 
aries and  providing  for  the  support  of  a  Vicar-Apostolic, 
this  opinion  of  the  American  clergy  also  had  its  influence  in 
cruising  the  Holy  See  to  defer  an  ap])ointment. 

Meanwhile  greater  powers  were  accorded  to  the  Prefect- 
Apnstohc,  who  was  again  urged  to  send  two  American 
V(»uth8  to  the  Urban  College  in  Rome.' 

Having  obtained  holy  Chrism,  the  Very  Rev.  Prefect  be- 
gan his  visitation  in  the  sunnner  of  1785,  the  congregations 
in  Maryland  receiving  his  first  attention.  It  is  probable  that 
he  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  church  at  St.  Inigoes,  on 
the  13th  of  July,  when  Rev.  Mr.  Walton  began  its  erection. 
But  we  have  no  details  of  the  state  of  the  different  missions 
as  Dr.  Carroll  found  them  at  this  time.'  On  the  22(1  of  Sep- 
ti'nil)er  he  again  left  his  home  at  Rock  Creek  ''on  a  progress 
to  administer  confirmation  at  Philadelphia,  New  York,  and 
in  the  uj)per  counties  of  the  Jerseys  and  Pennsylvania,  where 


'  Sacrod  Congregation  dc  Propaganda  Fide  to  Dr.  Carroll,  July  28, 
1785. 

•'  Some  speak  of  conflrmatioii  in  Philadelphia  prior  to  this  date,  but  ho 
rould  not  possihlj'  have  conferred  it. 
12* 


:i 


■A. 

m 


I: 


f-: 

Ml' 

' 

4, 

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h 

»■ 

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•.-^.:-T.?r!rj'.'Ji  !''->'■' 


274 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


our  worthy  German  brethren  have  formed  congregations,"  as 
he  himself  records.' 

Of  this  visitation  we  have  unfortunately  no  account."  It 
extended  as  far  as  New  York,  and  confirmation  was  adminis- 
terec'  there  and  in  Philadeli)hia,  and  possibly  at  some  interme- 
diate places. 

In  New  York,  Father  Andrew  Nugent's  credentials  ap- 
peared to  be  satisfactory,  but  Dr.  Carroll,  under  the  conditions 
imposed  by  the  Propaganda,  could  give  him  no  faculties.  Yet 
he  very  soon  tried  to  supplant  Father  Whelan,  and  the  trus- 
tees seemed  anxious  to  have  the  latter  removed.  The  Prefect- 
Apostolic  met  the  trustees  and  the  clergymen,  and  articles 
were  agreed  to,  which  apparently  settled  all  ditticnlties.  These 
he  prudently  left  in  writing  with  them. 

In  Philadelphia  the  Kev.  Rol)ert  Molyneux  purchased 
early  in  1785.  at  a  cost  of  £000,  a  lot  adjoining  St.  Joseph's 
church,  and  proposed  to  sell  a  less  desirable  portion  so  as  to 
make  the  church  jiroperty  sixty  feet  wide  by  one  hundred 
and  forty  deep.  This  gave  them  a  free  passage  to  "Walimt 
Street,  and  space  on  which  to  erect  a  presbytery.  The  old 
chapel  was  generally  overcrowded  at  the  first  mass,  and  as 
one  of  the  two  piiests  was  often  abse.it  on  Sundays  and  holi- 
days, attending  missions  and  stations.  Father  Farmer  solicited 
a  permission,  unusual  then,  of  saying  two  masses.  Indeed 
he  felt  that  two  priests  were  inadecpiate  to  the  wants  of  the 
growing  Catholic  body.  "  Philadelphia,"  he  wrote,  "  will  al- 
ways v,ant  three  or  four  Priests." 

The  Recollect  Father  Bandol,  chaplain  of  the  French  em- 


'  Letter  lo  Rev.  C.  Plowden,  September  22,  1785.  "  U.  S.  Catli  M;  .■•  " 
iv.,  p.  '249. 

^  We  might  nlnu;*!  dou.A  whether  he  actually  set  out,  but  Tor  ii  k'tter 
of  Fiilher  Fiiruier  dateci  March  «),  17H6,  speaking  of  events  that  occurred 
after  he  left  .New  York.     lb.,  vi.,  p.  147. 


PHILADELPHIA. 


275 


hassy  till  its  removal  to  New  York,  had  evidently  oflBciated 
fioni  time  to  time  at  St,  Joseph's,  since  Father  Farmer  in 
March,  1785,  seems  to  regret  the  loss  of  his  lid  when  he  an- 
nounces that  the  Abbe  was  to  sail  to  Europe  in  the  next 
month.'  When  he  did  so,  he  bore  letters  of  Rev.  Dr.  Car- 
roll to  the  Nuncio  at  Paris." 

Rev.  Mr.  Molyneux  wrote :  "  I  hope  you  will  consider  us, 
and  order  Mr.  Geissler  to  our  assistance  if  possible.  It  is 
pleasing  to  me,  to  Mr.  Farmer,  and  he  himself  is  sensible  of 
the  necessity.  For  my  part,  I  have  no  private  views,  the 
public  good  is  all  I  seek.  Yet  after  all  I  will  not  dissemble, 
tliat  it  would  be  very  agreeable  to  me  to  live  elsewhere  than 
in  Philadelphia.  I  really  feel  the  labor  of  this  place,  and 
thirteen  years  is  not  a  short  time  to  have  felt  it,  Every  day 
the  labor  increases,  and  my  ability  decreases." ' 

The  Dominican  Father  William  O'Brien  was  also  in  Phil- 
adelphia, and  the  city  was  occasionally  visited  by  Rev.  ITuet 
(ie  la  Valiniere,  who  attended  tli'i  French,  and  Rev.  T.  Ilas- 
sett,  who  otlkiated  for  the  Spanish  residents  or  sojourners." 

Dr.  Carroll  next  visited  stations  in  Virginia,  and  returning 
to  Rock  Creek,  ^  nmary  11,  1786,  found  letters  from  New 
York  fraught  with  importance. 

Things  were  in  a  dangerous  condition.  On  the  18th  of 
December,  two  adherents  of  Nugent  had  seized  the  collection 
taken  up  at  the  mass :   and  the  trustees  demanded  the  re- 


'  Rev.  Messrs.  Molyneux  and  Farmer  to  Vory  Rev.  J.  Carroll  March 
13th  to  August  24,  1785.     "  Woodstock  Letters,"  xv.,  p.  01. 

'  Very  Kev.  .T.  Carroll  to  the  Nuncio,  March  6,  1785.  The  chapel  of 
the  embassy  was  removed  to  New  York  apparently  in  1784.  Letter  of 
Marbois  to  .t.  inister,  December  26,  1784. 

■'  Rcvr.  U.  N-  ilyneux  to  Very  Rev.  J.  Carroll,  .Inne  18,  1785.  lb.,  pp. 
193-4. 

*  Rev.  R.  Molyneux  to  Very  Rev.  J.  Carroll,  March  28,  1785. 


:•»"?' 

!.., 


m-  m 


i 


270  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

moval  of  Fatlier  Wlielaii ;  they  even  threatened  to  have  re- 
course  to  legal  means  to  rid  themselves  of  him.  Thev  as 
sinned  that  a  congregation  had  a  right  not  only  to  choose 
such  clergyman  as  was  agreeable  to  them,  but  to  dismiss  him 
at  pleasure ;  and  that  after  such  election,  the  bishop  or  other 
eccle:'iastical  superior  could  not  hinder  him  from  exercisi:;,,- 
the  usual  functions. 

Dr.  Carroll  wrote  to  both  the  clergymen,  urging  them  to 
fraternal  charity  and  harmony.'     In  addressing  the  trustees 
he  entered  fully  into  the  dangerous  and  anti-Catholic  idoas 
which  they  evinced  :  "  If  ever  the  jirinciples  there  laid  down 
should  become  predominant,  the  unity  and  catliolicity  of  our 
church  would  be  at  an  end;  and  it  would  be  formed  into  dis- 
tinct and  independent  societies,  nearly  in  the  same  manner  as 
the  congregational  Presbyterians  of  your  neighI)oring  New 
England  States.     A  zealous  clergyman  performing  his  dutv 
courageously  and  without  respect  of  persons,  would  bo  alwiivs 
liable  to  be  the  victim  of  his  earnest  endeavors  to  stop  the 
progress  of  vice  and  evil  example,  and  others  more  comply- 
ing with  the  passions  of  some  principal  ])ersons  of  the  con- 
gregation would  be  substituted  in  his  room  :  and  if  the  eccle- 
siastical superior  has  no  control  in  these  instances,  I  will  refer 
it  to  your  own  judgment  what  the  conse<piences  may  be. 
The  great  source  of  misconception  in  this  matter,  is  that  an 
idea  appears  to  be  taken  both  by  you  and  :\rr.  Wlielan.  that 
the  officiating  clergyman  at  New  York  is  a  ]iarish  priest, 
whereas  there  is  yet  no  such  office  in  the  United  States.   The 
hierarchy  of  our  American  Church  not  being  yet  constituted- 
no  parishes  are  formed  ;  and  the  clergy  comii.g  1o  the  assist- 
ance of  the  faithful,  are  but  voluntary  laborers  in  the  vine- 


i 


'  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  to  Rov.  .\.  Xuiri'iit,  Rock  Creek,  .Jnmmry  17, 
1786 ;  sfiiiie  to  Rev.  Mr.  Whelan,  January  18. 


NEW  YORK. 


277 


viiril  of  ChriHt,  not  vested  with  ordinary  jurisdiction  annexed 
i(.  tlioir  office,  but  exercising  it  as  a  delegated  and  extra-bier- 
aichical  connnission."  ' 

He  explai  'id  tbat  no  valid  grounds  bad  been  given  him 
for  withdrawing  faculties  from  Father  Whelan,  and  be  told 
them  that  if  that  priest  left,  be  could  not  under  the  in- 
r-tructioiis  from  Rome  empower  either  Father  Nugent  or  the 
jlev.  Huet  de  la  Valiniere  to  officiate  in  New  York,  so  that 
tiioy  would  be  without  a  priest  to  say  mass  for  them.     As  to 
tlieir  threat  of  attempting  to  drive  Father  Whelan  from  the 
iiltar  by  process  of  law,  Dr.  Carroll  wrote :  "  I  cannot  tell 
what  assistance  the  laws  might  give  you  ;  but  allow  me  to  say, 
tliiit  you  can  take  no  step  so  fatal  to  that  respectability  in 
which  as  a  religious  society  you  wish  to  stand,  or  more  preju- 
dicial to  the  Catholic  cause.     I  must  therefore  entreat  you  to 
(Iodine  a  design  so  pernicious  to  all  your  prospects  ;  and  pro- 
testing against  measures  so  extreme,  I  explicitly  declare,  that 
IK)  clergyman,  be  he  who  he  may,  shall  receive  any  spiritual 
powers  from  me  who  shall  advise  or  countenance  so  unnec- 
essary and  prejudicial  a  proceeding."  ' 

Much  of  the  spring  was  levoted  by  Dr.  Carroll  to  visita- 
tion and  conferring  the  sacr..:.  .r^*  'f  Confirmation.  On  the 
i:?th  of  March  he  began  a  lettc-  (O  Cardinal  Antonelli,  but 
before  completing  it  received  a  letter  from  him  repeating 
the  satisfaction  of  his  Holiness  Pope  Piu-  VI.  a^  I.i.s  report 
■on  the  c(m(lition  of  the  Church  in  the  United  i-'+tttes,  and  i-e- 
luoving  the  restriction  in  regard  to  missionant.3  conndned  in 
bis  original  instructions.' 


1  Very  Rev.  .Tolin  Carroll  to  Trustees,  New  York,  .lanimry  25. 

•  Siune  to  Wvv.  Mr.  Nuj,'ent,  .Taimary  17.  178fi  ;  same  to  Rev.  Mr. 
Wliclan,  .Taimary  17,  178(i ;  same  to  Messrs.  Lynch  and  atoii<;htou.  .Tanu- 
nry  2"),  ITSIt ;  same  to  Rev.  Mr.  VVhelai),  .Taimary  28,  1780. 

•'  Cardinal  Antonelli  to  Very  Rev.  J.  Carroll,  July  33,  ITS."). 


it 


.  ''til 


riiJfimaiir-*>iTii' 


iti&rt&e/xi'.'s^'dMiSmiii. 


.1  ',va°^'TK/yi!«'eK5*'«*v<Bo.faa«rtW;.'iWf^K6^»-*:: 


f^W. 


278 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


li 


s 


m 


Before  he  completed  the  letter  to  Rome  he  had  to  deplore 
the  loss  of  two  excellent  and  devoted  priests,  Rev.  Luk,. 
Geissler,  who  died  at  Conewago  on  the  lOtli  of  An^ql^t,  aiul 
Rev.  Ferdinand  Farmer,  who  expired  just  a  week  afterwiird 
at  Philadelphia.'     Both  were  of  that  band  of  excellent  un's- 
sionaries  whom  the  Jesuit  provinces  in  Germanv  had  sent 
to  America  to  attend  their  countrymen,  but  wliose  labors 
were  given  unstintedly  to  all  Catholics.     Rev.  Luke  Geissler, 
born  in  1735,  entered  the  Society  of  Jesus  in  1750  and  bo' 
came  a  professed  Father  in  1772.     He  had  then  boon  in  this 
country  tor  six  years,  and  died,  after  twenty  years'  lal)or  in 
this  fold,  Lancaster  and  its  missions  being  esi)ecially  blessed 
with  his  ministry."     Rev.  Ferdinand  Steynmeyer,  known  on 
the  American  mission  as  "  Father  Farmer,"  was  one  of  tln" 
most  illustrious  jiriests  connecied  with  the  Church  in  the 
British  colonies  and  the  Reimblic  in  its  early  days.     He  was 
a  fruitful  laborer  at  Lancaster  and  Philadelphia,  with  their 
dependent  stations  ;  as  successor  of  Father  Schneider  he  at- 
tended the  scattered  Catholics  in  New  Jersey,  from  Delaware 
Bay  to  Greenwood  Lake,  and  founded  the  Catholic  Church 
in   New  York  State,  exercising  the  ministry  at  AVarwick, 
Fishkill,  and  New  Y'ork  City,  organizing  the  church  in  the 
last-named   place.     He  was  born   in  the  Circle  of  Suai)ia, 
Germar)y,  October  13,  1720,  and  was  received  into  the  Soci- 
ety of  Jesus  Septend)er  2<),  1743.     He  solicited  an  appoint- 
ment to  the  work  of  spreading  the  Gospel  in  China,  but  iji 
obedience  to  his  superiors  came  to  America.     "  He  began  his 
mission  at  Lancaster,  where  he  resided  six  years,  in  all  tiio 
poverty  and  humility  of  an  ai)ostle."     Then  he  became  coi:- 


•  Two  prit"st.s— one  English,  the  other  from  tlie  Lower  Rhine— nrrived 
before  \ut!;\ist.     Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  to  Cardinal  Antonelli,  August,  ITWJ. 
»  Foley,  "  Records  of  the  English  Province,"  vii.,  p.  291. 


m 


DEATH  OF  REV.  F.  FARMER. 


279 


iiected  witli  St.  Joseph's  Church,  Philadelphia.    While  lahur- 
i„.r  as  an  obscure  luissioiier  in  Pennsylvania  he  corresponded 
wi'th  learned  societies  in  Europe,  who  recognized  his  great 
n.athen.atical  ability.    When  Kev.  Z     *  arroU  was  appointed 
Prefect-Apostolic,  he  found  the  Kev.  Mr.  Farmer  a  wise 
H.nnsellor  and  a  prompt  and  ready  coadjutor  in  the  great 
work  confided  to  him.     His  merit  was  recognized  by  all,  and 
he  tilled,  as  trustee  of  the  University  of  Philadelphia,  a  posi- 
tion which  revived  prejudice  has  since  made  inaccessible  to  a 
Catholic.    Undeterred  by  failing  health  he  set  out  in  1T8G  to 
visit  his  New  Jersey  missions.     It  was  the  last  priestly  work 
„f  the  apostle  of  that  State.     He  then  crossed  into  New  York 
and  baptized  seven  near  Warwick,  Orange  County,  one  of 
them  James  Shea,  son  of  Cornelius  and  Frances.     Then  we 
find  him  at  Mount  Hope  and  Ringwood.    His  carefully  kept 
Pcgister  closes  with  an  entry  on  the  30th  of  July. 

The  Kegisters  kept  by  this  gr<3at  and  learned  priest  are 
BtiU  preserved,  and  are  one  of  the  consoling  moiunnents  of 
early  Catholicity  in  Philadelphia.  His  funeral  sermon  was 
preached  by  his  associate,  Rev.  Robert  Molyneux.' 

The  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  felt  deeply  the  loss  of  this  able 
clergyman,  and  described  him  as  a  priest  who  had  spent  many 
years'  at  Philadelphia  in  the  practice  of  all  kinds  of  virtue 
and  labor  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  closed  his  life  full  of 
merits  by  what  may  well  be  regarded  as  a  most  holy  death.' 

The  project  of  erecting  a  churcl;  at  New  York  was  advanc- 
ing by  the  energv  of  St.  John  de  Crevecoiur  and  the  patron- 


.  Folev   "  Records  of  the  Enjilish  Province,"  vii..  p.  739  ;  Molyneux, 
"  V  FunVn.1  Sornx.n  on  the  Death  of  the  Rev.  Ferdinund  FarnuT,  who 
d;,,art..d  this  life  the  I7th  August,  1780,  in  the  6Gth  ye.u-  of  In.  age 
Philadelphia,  C.  Talhot.  1786.     Reprinted  by  the  late  Rev.  .1.  M.  Fuiotti, 
Boston. 

»  Very  Rev.  John  Carroll  to  Cardinal  Antonelli,  .January  12,  1787. 


■4 


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280 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


a^e  of  Don  Diego  do  Gardoqui.     Fatl.er  Whelan  aiul  tl„ 
trustees  of  the  congregation  inulertook  tlie  erection  of  tl 
edifice  with  courage,  adopting  a  plan  beyond  tlu  ir  act., 
means,  hut  hopefully  looking  forward  to  future  progress     It 
wm  to  he  a  handsome  hrick  stnicture,  with  a  square  tow,.,, 
forty-eight  feet  front  by  eighty-one  in  depth.    They  address, 
petitions  for  aid  to  the  Kings  of  France  and  Spain  the  l-.ttn' 
forM-arded  through  Don  Diego  de  Gardoqui,  who  furlhc 
more  consented  to  lay  the  corner-stone.'      This  ceretnonv 
took  place  on  the  5th  of  October,  1785,  between  the  hon,'., 
ot  eleven  and  twelve  o'clock,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  ■,« 
sen.blage.     The  Spanish  minister  placed  in  the  corner-stone 
specnnensof  the  coinage  of  King  Charles  JV.  struck  tint 
year,  and  in  conformity  with  the  desire  of  the  congrcMti.'-n 
named  the  church'  St.  Peter's.     They  were  not,  however 
able  to  proceed  with  the  work  at  once,  but  continued  collect" 
"ig  fnnds  for  tli..  ,)urpose  in  New  York  and  Euroj)e 

Their  appeal  to  the  French  King  seems  to  have  met  with 
no  response,  active  and  generous  as  Mr.  de  Crevecceur  l,.,,! 
ehownhin^elf^  that  to  King  Charles  IV.  of  Sj.ain  was  at 

'  Don  D.Vffo  de  <l.,r|,.,joi  to  the  ron.le  fie  FIori,lublan,.a,  N<.w  Y^rk 

culty  of  c.  11.. .  inR  ,«:,,,..  on  recount  of  llu-  pov.rtv  ..f  tl...  faithful  n.anv 
of  who.u  ha.l  loHt  all  n,  .he  la.e  war.     Very  Rev.  "john  Carroll  to  ( 
nal  Antonc.Ili,  January  13,  1787. 

-•New  York  Pac-ket,"  OetolxT  10,   1785.      Gardoqui  to  Tonde  de 
lor  d,.l,  an<.a,  Noven.ber  21.  178.1,  indosi„.  tran.sla.io,,  of  a  n.por,     f 

l888rr;;;:^tc.'''"^'^"'*'   "^'"  '-  ''■  •'"""  •"■  ^^^vecu^-'paris! 

(•ir;u;ar'o''f '('''/,"  r'  ?'''''"  '"  '^"  "'  '"^'™"^  ^«  ^°»«<^» '"  France  : 
New  V  ork.     I  nf..rtuna„.ly  th,-  lH,oks  are  no  longer  .-xtant  to  show  ,    • 
a".ou..t  he  obtained  fron.  the  faithful  here  an.l  elsewhen'      T  Iw 
Mill   preserved  ,„   ,„y  boyhood,  and  ,ny  prandfather's  natne  appe..red 
Cr<>veca.ur-«  succ««or  .,  Consul  to  New  York,  .Mr.  Otto,  a  P  o        , 


ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH,  N.  Y. 


281 


once  taken  into  onnrnderatio  and  it  'it  first  proposed  to 
,,ive  fnmlH  from  tlie  revoni  s  of  Muxi.  - ;  but  m  tliis  niigl.t 
prove  a  long  nid  tedious  w.,^ ,  Sertor  r,ai(l...iui  was  directed 
to  pay  one  tlioiisaiHl  dollars  a»  the  contribution  of  liis  Catho- 
lic Majesty.'  Tlic  Trti4ee8  r<  -eived  the  money  in  June, 
lTSf$,  and  addressed  the  Spani^sli  Minister  expressing  their 
„l)li-ati..n  to  King  Clmrles,  and  subseipiently  asked  bini  to 
select  a  pew  f-r  -'h'  perpetual  use  of  the  Spanish  le  tion.' 
Tlio  Very  Kev.  V  ."fect-Apostolic  also  wrote  to  Don  Diego 
,le  (iardo.pu  to  express  his  thanks  for  the  generosity  w  • 
fosted  by  the  Spanish  monarch.' 

Meanwhile  a  carpenter's-shop  which  stood  on  the  lean 
property  they  'nd  acquired  on  Barclay  Street  was  tit t 
as  M  teniporary  cba,.el.*     It  was  not  till  the  20th  of  Miu 
'       ;ig  tliat  an  advertisement  appeared  in  one  of  tl\e  New 
1  ..rk^pai)ers,  calliui.  ;)roposals  from  Tiiasons  and  cari)en- 

ters/  Notwithstandi  .,  clie  feeling  that  had  been  excited 
against  liim,  Father  Wiielan  pushed  the  work  on  actively 
during  the  summer.  The  Catholic  body  felt  a  reasonable 
pride'ixt  its  progress,  and  urged  the  Prefect- Apostolic  to  so- 
licit the  faculty  to  consecrate  it  on  its  completion. 


wrote  .liiiiiiiiry  2,  1786:  "It  would  Iw  impolitic  to  support  rmholicity 
too  openly.  .Mr.  OUo  has  acconlinfrly  refiisi'd  to  jrive  the  Cutholic  priest 
lit  New  York  contrihutions  solicited  for  reliuildiiiR  the  (luirc  li  burned 
during  the  war.  Mr.  de  Gardoqui  has  made  a  donation  and  laid  the 
corner-stone." 

'  Letters  of  the  Maniuis  de  Sonora,  Deremlur  3,  178.5  ;  Jnnuary  28, 
.Miirih  i;5,  178(!.     That  of  March  18  annoiuiees  the  kin.n's  donation. 
•'  Letter  and  receipt  of  Trustees,  June  '^0.  1786  ;  October  28,  1786. 
'  Very  Rev.  .lohn  Carroll  to  Don  Die<,'0  de  GanUxiui.  November  14. 
178(5,  inclosed  in  letter  to  Conde  de  Floridablanea,  Deceiu.er  31,  1786. 

^  An  Italian  gentleman,  Mr.  Trapani,  whose  grands,.,     were  my  M'hool- 
fellows,  told  me  in  my  boyhood  of  his  attending  ma-  in  this  structure. 

'  "  New  York  Gazetteer  and  County  .Jourual."  May  26.  1786  ;  "  New 
York  Packet,"  June  1,  1786. 


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282 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Before  the  edifice  was  ready  to  be  dedicated  to  the  service 
of  God,  Father  Whelan  yielded  to  the  turbulent  opposition 
raised  against  him,  chiefly  because  he  was  not  sutHcieutly 
eloquent  to  please  some  who  neglected  the  sacraments,  hut 
were  very  much  inclined  to  interfere  in  the  management  of 
the  church.  Father  Whelan,  a  priest  of  irreproachable  life 
and  devoted  to  his  calling,  at  last  relinquished  the  struggle 
and  resigned  his  position  in  February,  1787,  without  having 
the  consolation  of  witnessing  the  opening  of  the  church  for 
which  he  had  labored  so  unselfishly.' 

This  left  New  York  with  no  priest  except  Rev.  Huet  de 
la  Valiniere,  who  had  looked  after  the  French  and  Canadians, 
and  to  whom  powers  were  forwarded  to  attend  the  Cath- 
olics generally ;  and  Rev.  Father  Andrew  J^ugent,  Capu- 
chin.    The  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  fully  recognized  the  im- 
portance of  the  New  York  mission,  and  would  gladly  have 
confided  the  faithful  there  to  a  priest  of  eminent  virtue  and 
ability.     But  he  had  no  one  to  send,  and  had  no  alternative 
but  to  give  temporary  faculties,  a^  he  reluctantly  did,  to  Rev. 
Andrew  Nugent,  making  them  expressly  usque  ad  revoca- 
tionem.     "  I  am  pleased  and  edified,"  he  wrote,  "  v\-ith  the 
steadfast  faith  of  the  Roman  Catholics  of  New  York.     You 
M-ill  not  fail  to  use  your  unwearied  endeavors  to  encourage 
amongst  them  the  union  of  works  with  faith,  and  particularly 
the  frequentation  of  the  Sacraments.     I  am  afraid  vou  will 
have  much  diflSculty  in  prevailing  over  the  contrary  habits 
of  grown  people  ;  but  the  rising  generation  may  be  formed 
to  the  practises  best  calculated  to  nourish  a  spirit  of  prayer 
and  the  fear  of  God.     My  best  wishes  attend  them  all." 
The  frequentation  of  the  sacraments  had  been  steadily  in- 


Church'"^'    "^  ^"''^  ^^""^^  °*  ^^^  ^''^  ^^^^  °*  ^^^  ^"^'^o"" 


ST.  PETERS  CHURCH,  N.  Y. 


283 


culcated  for  generations  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  and 
all,  whether  of  English,  Irish,  or  German  origin,  were  regular 
in  approaching  the  holy  table ;  but  in  Ireland  at  this  period, 
owing  to  the  influence  acquired  at  Louvain  and  other  schools 
on  the  continent,  many  of  the  clergy  discouraged  rather  than 
encouraged  frequent  commuuion.  Those  who  emigrated  to 
America  were  often  of  the  more  restless  and  less  pious  class, 
and  they  did  not  keep  up  the  habits  of  their  old  home.  This 
made  the  services  of  a  zealous  priest  all  the  more  necessary. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  La  Valini6re  at  this  time  had  his  little 
French  flock,  and  was  busy  preparing  a  kind  of  Catechism  in 
French  and  English  and  forming  schemes  for  seminaries  and 
churches  in  the  chief  cities  of  the  country.  A  more  tangible 
project  was  that  of  purchasing  a  disused  Protestant  church  in 


^/^(fO^eM^M&'i^-^^ 


I 


FAC 


-SIMILE  OF  SIGNATURE  OF  KEY.   P.   HCET  DE  LA  VALINlfilRE. 


the  city  of  New  York  for  his  French-speaking  flock.  For 
this  he  solicited  aid  from  the  French  government,  but  Barbe 
Marbois,  knowing  his  erratic  character,  opposed  the  scheme.' 

The  summer  of  1786  was  one  of  more  than  ordinary  heat. 
Sickness  prevailed,  travelling  was  difficult  and  laborious,  so 
that  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  was  compelled  to  suspend  his 
visitation  and  remain  at  Rock  Creek,  which  was  still  his  resi- 
dence and  mission. 

The  authorities  at  Rome  expressed  their  pleasure  at  the 
progress  of  the  faith  in  New  York,  and  intimated  that  "al- 
though very  seldom  granted  to  priests  not  having  the  episco- 


>  Barbfe  Marbois  to  Vergennes,  January  2,  1786. 


81  i 


r-f 


*, 

Xi 
I 


284  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

pal  character,"  faculty  might  be  conferred  on  him  to  conse, 
crate  St.  Peter's  Church,  New  York. 

That  edilice  was  so  far  advanced  that  in  compliment  to 
Charles  IV.  of  Spain,  his  feast-day,  November  4th,  dedicated 
to  St.  Charles  Borromeo,  was  selected  for  the  celebration  of 
the  lirst  mass.     Don  Diego  de  Gardoqui  and  his  suite,  as 


BT.    PETEn's  CHURCH,    NEW   TORK,    FROM  COLTON'S  ENORAVINO. 


well  as  all  Spanish  residents  of  the  city,  were  invited  to 
attend,  a  place  of  honor  being  assigned  to  them.  A  high 
mass  was  celebrated  by  Father  Andrew  Nugent,  assisted  by 
the  chaplains  of  the  French  and  Spanish  legations,  the  bless- 
mg  of  the  church  having  been  previously  })erformed  in  pri- 
vate by  the  rector,  who  at  the  close  of  the  mass  delivered  a 
titting  discourse. 


ST.  PETERS  CHURCH,  N.   Y. 


285 


The  Spanish  Minister  then  entertained  at  dinner  in  his 
house  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  his  Cabinet, 
the  Members  and  Secretary  of  Congress,  the  Governor  of 
the  State,  the  representatives  of  foreign  powers,  many  of 
whom  probably  attended  the  services  in  the  church.' 

Steps  were  soon  after  taken  to  incorporate  the  Trustees  of 
St.  Peter's  Church,  tlie  former  incorporation  being  regarded 
as  too  vague.  In  pursuance  of  a  notitication  by  the  rector  on 
two  successive  Sundays,  the  congregation  on  the  23d  of 
April,  1Y87,  adopted  as  the  title  of  the  corporation  "  The 
Trustees  for  the  Koman  Catholic  Congregation  of  St.  Peter's 
Church  in  the  City  of  New  York  in  America,"  and  pro- 
ceeded to  elect  the  first  board  of  Trustees.' 

At  this  time  Rev.  Charles   Sewall  had  experienced  so 
much  difficulty  in  his  endeavor  to  build  up  a  church  at  Bal- 
timore, that  he  lost  courage,  and  asked  to  be  sent  to  Cone- 
wiigo ;  but  he  finally  consented  to  stay,  the  Very  Rev.  Pre- 
fect having  decided  to  fix  his  residence  in  that  (  ny.     '*  I  al- 
ways thought,"  wrote  Rev.  Mr.  Pellentz,  "  that  he  could  do 
more  for  God's  greater  glory  and  the  salvation  of  souls  in 
Baltimore  than  here.     For  that  reason,  I  advised  him  in 
his  troubles  to  have  patience   and   to  take  courage.     To 
the  same  intent  I  called  to  his  remembrance  that  Saints 
Ignatius  and  Teresa  expected  always  great  success  whe.i  they 
met  with  serious  obstacles  in  the  begiiming  of  a  now  college 
or  monastery.     The  hardships  Mr.  Sewall  sunered,  made 
me  think  that  Baltimore  in  time  will  be  a  very  ilourishing 
mission." 


'  "New  York  Packet,"  November  7,  1786;  Very  Rev,  .John  Carroll 
to ,  November  13,  1786  ;  Gardoqu!  to  Conde  de  Floridablauca,  No- 
vember'27,  1786,  enclosing  account  of  the  mass  and  dinner. 

2  Records  in  the  Register's  office,  New  York. 


f 


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286  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

When  tlie  Very  Rev.  Prefect  took  up  his  residence  in  Bd 
timore,  he  found  to  his  grief  that  the  Acadian  populati,,, 
had  degenerated  greatly.     Tlie  intercourse  between  France. 
and  the  United  States  had  led  to  the  in.nngration  of  nia„v 
adventurers.     Dr.  Carroll,  as  well  as  St.  John  de  Crevecuiur 
describes  this  class  aa  in  general  bad  and  irreligious.     "  They 
are  everywhere  a  scandal  to  religion,"  wrote  Dr.  Carroll 
"  with  very  few  exceptions.     Not  only  that,  but  tl.ey  dissen.i' 
nate,  as  much  as  they  can,  all  the  principles  of  irreligion  of 
contempt  for  the  church  and  disregard  for  the  duties  wliidi 
both  command.     They  have  corrupted  here  almost  entirely 
the  principles  of  a  numerous  body  of  Acadians  or  Frenc'h 
Neuters,  and  their  descendants,  who  being  expelled  by  the 
English  from  Nova  Scotia  in  the  war  of  1755,  settled  and  in- 
creased here." ' 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  "  preached  his  first  sermon  in  Baki- 
more  on  the  parable  of  the  Ten  Virgins,  which  was  much 
admired.     The  classical  purity  of  his  composition,  the  sweet- 
ness of  his  manner,  and  his  earnest  piety  made  a  deep  im- 
pression upon  his  audience;  and  on  preaching  a  second  time 
soon  after,  he  became  a  decided  favorite.     His  sermons  werj 
so  much  admired  that  many  Protestants  attended  them  with 
great  sjitisfaction."     From  this  time  he  discharged  the  duties 
of  pastor  at  St.  Peter's  Church,  when  not  making  visitations.' 
From  the  time  of  his  arrival  in  Baltimore,  the  Rev.  Dr 
Carroll  took  part  in  all  plans  for  the  general  improvement. 
In  1780  he  was  one  of  the  patrons  of  an  Academy  established 
toafford  •!  higher  education  for  young  men  than  they  could 

'  Very  Rev.  John  Carroll  to  Rev.  C.  Plowden,  October  23  1789 
I  cannot  find  any  foundation  whatever  for  the  sUiten.ent  that  Rev  Dr' 
Carroll  w,w  a  missionary  in  Delaware.  Rock  Creek  was  his  only  charge" 
and  he  removed  from  that  place  to  Baltimore.  ' 

»  Scharf,  "  Chronicles  of  Baltimore,"  Baltimore,  1874,  p.  248. 


CHURCH  AT  HAOERSTOWN. 


287 


hitherto  obtain  without  going  to  some  other  city.'  As  early 
as  March  28th  in  that  year,  he  was  chairman  of  a  meeting 
called  for  the  purpose  at  Grant's  Tavern.' 

Among  the  other  churches  which  made  an  humble  begin- 
ning about  this  time,  was  that  at  llagerstown,  Maryland. 
Tliree  lots  were  purchased  for  a  graveyard  by  liev.  James 
rrambach,  on  the  16th  of  August,  1786.     The  first  resident 
priest  was  Rev.  Denis  Cahill,  u  laborious  missionary,  who  ex- 
tended his  care  to  Martinsburg,  Shepherdstown,  Winchester, 
and  occasionally  to  Fort  Cumberland  and  Chambersburg. 
Iliii  toil  was  not  unrewarded ;  he  found  the  people  exemplary 
and  pious ;  congregations  increased,  and  in  each  place,  except 
Martinsburg,  ground  was  given  for  a  chapel.'     He  acquired 
from  Adam  Miller,  a  resident  of  Bedford  County,  Pa.,  the 
site  of  the  present  Hagerstown  church  in  1T94,  the  consider- 
ation being  five  shillings,  showing  that  it  was  virtually  a  gift. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Cahill  erected  a  solid  log-house,  which  served 
as  house  and  cliapel,  and  of  which  a  sketch  has  been  preserved, 
lie  left  the  country  in  1806,  and  returned  to  Ireland,  where 
he  did  some  years  after.' 

While  the  Rev.  Denis  Cahill  was  stationed  at  Hagers- 
town, he  attended  several  missions  in  Maryland  and  Virginia, 
among  others  Shepherdstown,'  in  the  latter  State.  After 
saying  mass  there,  or  "  holding  church,"  as  the  saying  was. 


'  B.  U.  Campbell,  "  Desultory  Sketches  of  the  Catholic  Church  in 
Marylttiitl,"  "  U.  S.  Catholic  Magazine"  (IMijdous  Cabinet),  i.,  p.  312. 

•^  "Baltimore  Advertiser,"  March  31,  1786. 

'Reily,  "Concwago,"  Martinsburg,  pp.  116,  203.  The  deed  was  in 
trust  to  Lulce  Tiernan,  Charles  Carroll,  Rev.  D.  Cahill,  James  Mc- 
Clellan,  .lohn  Adams,  James  McCardell,  Jos.  and  Wm.  Chirk.— Rev. 
Denis  Cahill  to  Rt.  Rev.  J.  Carroll,  January  24,  1791 ;  December,  1795. 

*  lie  died  in  1817.     Reily,  p.  117. 

'  Finotti,  "The  Mystery  of  Wizard  Clip.  A  Monograph."  Balti- 
more, 1S79.    F.  Mulledy's  account,  p.  3. 


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288 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


II 

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i 


on  one  occasion,  some  of  his  C  itholic  flock  brought  to  him  a 
Protestant  named  Livingston,  wlio  told  him  his  trouble. 
His  house  had  for  years  been  visited  by  spirits  which  an- 
noyed him  greatly  and  destroyed  his  property;  he  had 
moved  from  Pennsylvania  to  Virginia,  but  the  persecutdrs 
followed.  He  was  sure,  too,  that  the  priest  was  the  person 
whom  he  beheld  in  a  dream  as  one  to  relieve  hiiri.' 

The  Kev.  Mr.  Cahill  made  light  of  the  matter,  and  told 
the  man  that  some  malicious  neighbors  must  be  playing 
pranks  on  him.     Touched,  however,  by  the  man's  evident 


BKV.    D.    CAHILL'S  CHAPEL  AND   HOUSE,    HAQER8TOWN,  MD. 

distress,  and  by  the  statements  of  Catholics  who  corroborated 
Livingston's  statements,  the  priest  went  to  his  house  in 
Smithfield.  After  sprinkling  the  building  with  holy  water 
and  reciting  a  few  prayers,  he  started  to  go  on  a  sick  call. 
As  he  went  out  a  sum  of  money  that  had  been  missing  for 
several  days  lay  at  his  feet  on  the  threshold.  The  annoy- 
ance then  ceased  for  a  considerable  time,  to  the  relief  of 


'  Mrs.  McSLerry,  pp.  68,  107. 


LIVINGSTON'S  CONVERSION. 


289 


Mr.  Livingston,  who  had  applied  in  vain  to  his  Protestant 
ministers. 

When  the  trouble  was  renewed,  he  called  upon  Rev.  Mr. 
Cahill  with  more  faith  and  earnestness.  Rev.  Mr.  Cahill  said 
mass  at  the  house,  and  received  Mr.  Livingston  and  some 
members  of  his  family,  to  the  number  of  fourteen,  into  the 
church,  the  Voice  that  was  heard  having  taught  them  the 
fiiith  and  how  to  pray.'  The  injury  to  property  ceased,  but 
the  Voice  was  frequently  heard,  chieiiy  when  a  death  had 


SITE  OF  LrVINGSTON'B  HOUSE,  FROM  A  DRAWING  BY  JAMES  R.  TAYLOR.' 

occurred,  or  some  need  existed  of  special  prayer.  Its  influ- 
ence was  always  beneficial,  and  never  caused  trouble  or  di- 
minished piety. 

The  visitations  were  notorious  throughout  the  country,  and 
the  place,  in  consequence  of  the  way  in  which  articles  had 

'  F.  Mulledy,  p.  4 ;  Mrs.  McSherry,  pp.  60,  108. 

'  After  Mr.  Taylor  made  this  sketch  and  others  for  me  in  1864-5, 1 
learned  that  his  family,  had  preserved  a  memory  of  the  events,  his  great- 
prandfather  having  visited  Livlnpton's  place  purposely  to  learn  about 
it.    See  Finotti,  p.  188,  etc. 
18 


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290 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


l)een  cut,  grew  to  l)e  called  "Wizard  Clip."  The  Rev. 
Demetrius  A.  Gallitzin  visited  the  house  from  Pennsylvania 
and  investigated  the  statements  of  Livingston  and  his  neifjli- 
bors :  ho  drew  up  an  account,  which  is  now  unfortunately 
lost. 

Mr.  Livingston,  soon  after  his  conversion,  went  to  Balti- 
more and  saw  Dr.  Carroll,  who  was  convinced  of  the  man's 
sincerity,  and  that  he  had  been  supernatural ly  instructed.' 

The  Voice  was  heard  by  Mr.  Livingston  for  years,  and  tlio 
facts  were  attested  by  his  family,  and  their  neighbors,  the 
McSherrys.  Mr.  Livingston  finally  removed  to  Pennsylvania 
again,  and  gave  his  farm  with  a  small  house  for  the  use  of 
the  chur'  )\.  Part  of  the  ground  has  since  been  used  as  a 
cemetery :  the  houpe  has  yielded  to  decay.  The  place  is  heUl 
in  reverence,  the  Voice  having  declared  that  it  would  before 
the  end  of  time  be  a  great  place  for  prayer  and  fasting.' 

Strange  and  wonderful  as  the  main  facts  related  are,  they 
were  credited  after  careful  examination  by  able,  learned,  and 
far  from  credulous  men. 

The  missions  attended  from  Conewago  were :  Paradise,  Lit- 
tlestown,  where  a  house  was  adapted  for  church  purposes  in 
1791 ;  Hanover,  Taneytown,  attended  from  the  days  of  Father 
Frambach  ;  Westminster,  where  a  frame  church  was  erected 


'  B.  Mobberly.  p.  18;  Gallitzin.  "A  Letter  to  a  Protestant  Friend  on 
the  Holy  Scriptures,"  Ebensburgh,  1820,  p.  144  ;  Letter  to  Catharine  C 
Doll,  in  Finotti,  p.  88;  Letter  April  11,  1889,  p.  89.  Prince  Gnllit/.in's 
examination  was  not  a  superflcial  one  ' '  My  view  in  coming  to  Virginia 
and  remammg  there  three  months  was  to  investigate  those  extraordinary 
facts  at  Livingston's,  of  which  I  had  heard  so  much  at  Conewago  anil 
which  I  could  not  prevail  uix)n  myself  to  Iwlieve  ;  but  I  was  soon  con- 
verted to  a  full  belief  of  them.  No  lawyer  in  a  court  of  justice  did  ever 
examine  or  cross  examine  witnesses  more  strictly  than  I  did  all  those  I 
could  prcKure,"  p.  90.  Brownson,  "Life  of  Demetrius  Augustine  Gal- 
htzin."  New  York,  1873,  pp.  100-7. 
»  Finotti,  pp.  34,  43. 


REV.  J.  B.  DE  BITTER. 


291 


about  1789  on  a  plot  of  four  acres  given  by  John  Logston 
for  the  service  of  God  ;  York,  where  a  stone  house  purchased 
May  4,  177G,  by  .foseph  Smitli,  was  given  as  a  pious  gift  to 
the  ciiurcli,  and  fitted  up  for  divine  worship.' 

Father  dc  Ritter  at  Goshenhoppen  had  hia  church  and 
Hchool,  with  Jolm  Lawrence  Gubernator  as  teaclier,  and  at- 
tended tliu  church  at  Reading  and  stations  at  Oley  Mountains, 
Cedar  Creek,  at  Nicholas  Carty's  house  in  Haycock,  at  George 
Iliffel's  at  .Niagunehi,  at  Ilenrich's,  at  John  La  Fleur's,  Maiden 
Creek,  Lehig..,  Easton,, 

"  Many  old  people,"  says  the  historian  of  Goshenhoppen, 
"  who  made  their  first  comnmnion  in  his  time,  and  who  re- 
member him  well,  tell  of  him,  that  on  his  almost  uninter- 
rui)ted  journcyings,  he  would  never  take  his  much  needed 
repose  in  a  bed  ;  but  with  his  saddle  for  a  pillow,  a  little 
straw  and  a  blanket,  he  was  satisfied  with  a  short  rest,  that 
was  at  once  a  necessary  refreshment  after  the  past,  and  a 
preparation  for  the  coming  day's  labor.    All  speak  of  him  as 
an  indefatigable  laborer  in  our  little  vineyard,  where  he  died 
unexpectedly  February  3,  1787,  having  celebrated  mass  on 
the  festival  of  the  preceding  day.     Rev.  Mr.  Beeston  arrived 
in  time  to  officiate  at  his  funeral.    His  record  of  baptisms, 
l)eginning  in  1766  with  42,  rose  in  1781  and  the  following 
year  to  61),  but  declined  somewhat  apparently  by  the  moving 
away  of  part  of  the  settlers.     He  records  the  reception  into 
the  church  of  seventeen  converts  between  1781  and  1785. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  de  Ritter  seems  to  have  made  it  a  rule  where 
possible  that  marriages  should  be  so'  '"nized  during  mass  in 
the  church,  and  we  find  him  noting  diat  in  one  case  he  mar- 
ried a  slave  or  indentured  servant  who  produced  a  forged 
license  from  his  master ;  the  priest  was  fined  £50  for  the 


II 


Reily,  "  Conewago,"  Martinsburg,  1885,  pp.  88-144. 


202 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


¥ 


offence,  hut  oh  ho  pnuhjml  the  forged  dopunKMit,  the  tino 
was  remitted.     In  another  oa«e  where  lie  evidently  had  his 
BUHpicioiiH,  we  find   lihn   re<,uiring  a  bond  of  indeuuiitv 
These  are  traits  that  mark  the  preclHC  and  careful  ehanuttr 
of  the  man."  ' 

The   I'refect  sent  Rev.   Peter  Ilelbron  to  this  mission 
where  lie  began  his  labors  November  22,  1787  :  he  added  a 
steeple  to  the  church  and  put  uj)  a  bell  weighing  112  pounds, 
serving  Goshenhoppen  and  its  missions  till  August,  1791. 

At  the  old  Catholic  centre,  Conewago,  the  energetic  Rev. 
James  Pellentz  was  still  laboring,  though  he  too  was  in  U\l 
ing  health.  Writing  to  the  Prefect-Apostolic,  he  mentions 
that  he  had  aided  the  Rev.  Mr.  Geissler  to  purchase  a  house 
m  Carlisle,  "to  keep  service  in  ";  and  that  he  had  paid  £'.){ 
for  a  house  at  the  "  Standing  Stone,"  on  the  left  bank  of  the 
Susipjehanna. 

This  was  the  foundation  of  the  mission  at  Carlisle  under 
the  Rev.  Lucas  Geissler.  The  first  chai)el  is  said  to  have 
been  a  log-house  on  Pomfret  Street,  and  it  was  used  by  the 
Catlu.lics  till  the  present  church  of  St.  Patrick  was  completed 
in  1806.  ^ 

There  were  Catholics  along  the  Susquehanna,  at  this  time 
the  i)ioneer  Ixjing  apparently  Mary  O'Callaghan,  probably 
there  as  early  iis  17r,l);  Fitzgerald  and  McCormick  about 
1783;  the  McDuffies  at  Tioga  Point,  now  Athens.'     These 


"•On  his  tombstone,  which,  like  Father  Schneider's,  wns  erected  I,v 
Rev.  Paul  Ernfzen.  is  read :  Hie  jaeet  Kev.  Joan.  Bapt.  Do  Hitter  S  j 
Obi.t  M  Feb.  1787.    ^tads  70.  Missionis  20."    Woodstock  Letters,  1870; 

»  Rev.   .Ia,n..s  Pellentz  to  Very  Rev.   Dr.  Carroll,  October  1,  1785 
Charter  of  Carlisle,"  Carlisle,  1841  ;  Dilhet,  "Etat  de  I'Epli.se  Catho' 
lique.       Rev.  .James  A.  IIul)er  kindly  informs  me  that  a  slab  over  the 
door  gives  the  date  1806,  correcting  the  statement  in  the  Charter    Dilhet 


CHURCH  AT  CONEWAOO. 


203 


were  viBited  from  tlio  old  tiUHHion  Btations,  as  tlie  Rev.  Mr. 
rt'Ueiitz's  purchuHo  hIiowh,  thoiijjfh  the  memory  of  thia  early 
Haiictuary  of  religion  lian  faded  away  in  the  loeality. 

There  were  alreiidy  Catholies  in  Western  PentiHylvania. 
In  1785  a  man  came  to  rhiladelphia  and  jjresented  a  jxv 
tition  to  Father  Farmer  from  CatholicH  in  the  vicinity  of 
Pittsburg,  who  desired  the  visit  of  a  priest  at  least  once  a 
vear.  Seventy  Catholics  living  on  or  near  the  Monongahela 
at  Muddy  Creek,  Ten-Mile  Water,  and  Shirtee  Water,  signed 


?■—-'■ 


^  ■■ 


CaCRCII  OF  THE   8ACRE.D  HEART   AND   RESIDENCE,    CONEWAOO. 

tlie  appeal.     The  leading  Catholic  in  the  district  thei-  wa» 
Felix  Hughes.' 

Meanwhile  the  venerable  Mr.  Pellentz  was  building  a 
stone  church  at  Conewago,  to  replace  the  log  chapel  of  co- 
lonial days.  The  work  was  characteristic  of  the  man,  and 
stands  to  this  day,  solid,  firm,  and  unpretentious.  His  peo- 
ple had  prospered,  and  religion  was  free.     He  selected  a  red 

who  visited  it  about  1806,  mentions  it  as  completed.    Letter  of  Rev.  M. 
J.  Iloban. 
'  Rev.  F.  Farmer  to  Very  Rev.  John  Carroll,  July  19,  1785. 


204 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


sandstone  of  very  close  texture,  from  a  line  quarry  at  East 
Berlin,  and  every  block  was  hauled  more  than  ten  miles  io 
the  church.  The  corner-stone  of  the  Church  of  the  Sacred 
Heart  of  Jesus,  the  first  in  the  country  of  that  title,  was  laid 
in  1786,  and  the  edifice  was  completed  in  1787,  and  a  suIk 
Btantial  residence  for  the  clergy  rose  beside  it.  Some  sixty 
years  ago  an  addition  was  erected  extending  the  church  in 
length,  but  the  church  raised  by  Rev.  James  Pellentz  was 
respected.  "  It  wtands  to-day  as  solid  and  substantial  as  ever," 
says  the  historian  of  Conewago.' 
In  1785  Lancaster  received  a  priest  in  the  person  of  the 

FAC-8IMILE  OF  THE  SIGNATURE  OF  THE  KEV.    JAMES  PELLENTZ. 

Recollect  Father  Fidentianus  (John  B.  Causse),  who  had  ar- 
rived in  Philadelphia  several  years  before,  and  had  not  only 
been  permitted  to  say  mass,  but  had  occasionally  in  case  of 
necessity  been  employed  by  the  priests  at  that  city.  He  was 
a  man  of  education,  spoke  English  and  French,  and  had  won 
friends  by  his  correct  and  gentle  behavior.  He  was,  how- 
ever, restleps,  and  deluded  by  false  representations,  had  gone 
to  Boston,  and  finding  that  he  had  l)een  deceived,  set  out  for 
Quebec,  but  was  shipMTecked  on  the  dangerous  coast  of  Xova 
Scotia.  After  wintering  at  Halifax,  where  he  found  friends, 
he  proceeded  to  Quebec  in  the  spring  of  1784,  but  in  the 
vacancy  of  the  See,  he  could  not  obtain  employment,  and 


'  ReiJy,  "Conewnpo,"  Martinsburp,  !885,  pp.  50-7;  Reily,  "Conewa- 
go Centennial  Celebration,"  Martinsburg,  1887.  We  owe  much  to  this 
painstaking  and  public-spirited  gentleman. 


REV.  JOHN  B.  CAUSSE. 


295 


finally  arrived  after  much  hardship  at  Philadelphia,  August 
K  1785,' 

'  While  the  Rev.  John  B.  Causae  was  in  charge  of  the 
church  at  Lancaster,  he  joined  in  a  petition  to  the  State  As- 
sembly, asking  the  establishment  of  a  German  charity  school 
at  that  place ;  but  the  prpject  soon  took  a  more  ambitious 
form,  and  on  the  10th  of  March,  1787,  "  Franklin  College," 
at  Lancaster,  was  incorporated  by  the  Legislature  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Of  this  institution  the  Catholic  priest.  Rev.  John 
B.  Causse,  was  trustee  from  1787  to  1793,  when  he  tendered 

his  resignation." 

In  1788  a  permanent  settlement  in  Western  Pennsylvama 
was  made  where  St.  Vincent's  Abbey  now  stands  in  West- 
moreland County,  and  in  March  of  the  next  year  an  acre 
and  twenty  perches  were  purchased  five  slulhngs  at 
Greensburg  in  the  same  county.  At  this  place  Father 
Causse  said  mass  for  the  first  time  in  the  house  of  John 
Probst  in  June,  1789.'  . 

Some  few  years  later,  as  we  will  see,  the  Rev.  Patrick 


.  Rev.  Fr.  Farmer  to  Prefect  Carroll,  August  1,  1785  ;  Very  Rev.  J. 
Carroll  to  Rev.  J.  B.  Causse.  August  16,  1785. 

^  S  M.  Sener,  in  "  U.  8.  Catholic  Historical  Magame,"  i.,  p.  215,  cit- 
ing   'Register  of  St.  Mary's  Church"  and  "The  Independent  Gazet- 
teer "  of  1785.    This  clergyman  seems  to  have  been  led  away  by  the  fac- 
Uous  party  among  the  Germans,  as  he  left  Lancaster  and  became  involved 
n  the  m  ubles  at  Baltimore,  where  Bishop  Carroll  withdrew  his  f aculUes^ 
Js  Lid.  though  perhaps  by  some  confusion  of  I™^"'a  he  pe^^tod 
in  officiating,  however,  and  was  formally  excommunicated^   B.  U.  tamp 
MHn  ••  U.  9.  Catholic  Magazine."  i..  p.  313 ;  "  Religious  Calnnet.    1842.) 
He  then  exhibited  a  Panorama  of  Jerusalem,  but  recognizing  his  error, 
submitted  to  the  Bishop.    (Letter  to  Dr.  Carroll,  June  4. 1798 ,  Rev.  Wm. 
Elling  to  same,  August  6, 1792.) 

BBrownson,  "Life  of  Demetrius  Augustine  Gallitzin,"  New  York. 
1878  p  118  ;  Lambing,  "  History  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  dioceses 
of  Pittsburg  and  Alleghany,"  New  YorK.  1880.  p.  360. 


296 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Lonergan,  of  the  Franciscan  order,  attempted  to  found  a 
Catbolic  colony  in  Western  Pennsylvania.  The  Franciseang 
who  had  reared  the  first  altar  at  Fort  Du  Quesne  being  suc- 
ceeded in  the  missions  beyond  the  Alleglmnies  by  priests  of 
the  same  order.  Of  the  progress  of  the  Church  on  the  East- 
ern Shore  of  Maryland,  we  obtain  an  interesting  picture  in  a 
letter  of  Rev.  Joseph  Mosley : 

"  I  am  yet  on  y"  same  Farm,  on  which  I  lived,  when  you 
wrote  to  me  last.     I've  informed  you  many  years  ago  of  my 
Purchase  of  it,  in  what  situation  it  was  first  in,  &  what  I 
really  suffer'd  in  settling  it.     I've  been  on  it  now  twenty 
long  Years,  &  I've  made  it,  thro'  God's  Help,  both  agreab'e 
&  profitable  to  myself  &  to  my  successors;  not  knowing  y 
Length  of  Life,  my  chief  aim  was  to  make  it  convenien't 
happy  and  easey  to  my  successors,  that  they  might  with  some' 
Comfort  continue  a  flourishing  mission  that  I  have  begun- 
when  I  first  settled  I  had  not  one  of  my  own  Profession 
nigher  than  six  or  seven  mile,  but  now,  thro'  God's  particular 
Blessings,  I've  many  families  joining,  and  all  round  me     The 
Toleration  here  granted  by  y«  Bill  of  Rights  has  put  all  on 
r  same  footing,  &  has  been  of  great  service  to  us.     Tlie 
Methodists,  who  have  started  up  chiefly  since  y"  war,  have 
brought  over  to  themselves,  chief  of  y"  former  Protes  .       ts 
on  r  Eastern    shore  of   Maryland,   where    I    live.      The' 

^•"^^ *  ministers  having  no  fixt  Sallery  by  Law   as 

heretofore,  have  abandoned  their  Flocks,  which  are  now 
equander'd  &  joined  different  societies.  We've  had  some 
sliare.  Since  y"  commencement  of  y  War,  I've  built  on  my 
Farm  a  brick  Chapel  &  dwelling  House.  It  was  a  diflieult 
&  I)old  undertaking  at  that  time,  as  every  necessarv,  esjje- 
nally  Nails,  were  very  dear.  I  began  it,  trusting  on  Provi- 
dence &  I've  liappiiy  finished,  x^-ithoutanv  assistance  either 
from   our  Gentlemen   or   my   Congregation.     The  whole 


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(298) 


REV.  MR.  MOSLEY'S  CHURCH  HOUSE.       299 

Building  is  52  ft.  long  &  24  ft.  wide,  &  y"  wall  18  ft.  high. 
Out  of  this  length  of  Wall  y«  Chapel  is  34  ft.  long  and  24  ft. 
wide  &  with  y"  arch  20  odd  ft.  high,  no  cellar  under  that 
part.     My  dwelling  House  is  16  by  24  ft.,  two  Stores  high. 
Below  I've  my  own  Room  16  by  18  ft.,  &  a  Passage  6  ft. 
with  a  Pair  of  Stairs  in  it,  to  y«  2d  Story,  where  i've  two 
Hinall  Rooms  12  ft.  by  12,  Each  Room  has  a  good  Fire  Place ; 
Under  my  Dwelling  a  Cellar  in  two  Rooms,  16  by  12  ft. 
each.    My  chapel  will  hold  between  2  or  300  people.    It 
cou'd  not  contain  y'  Hearers  last  Easter  Sunday  when  I  first 
kept  Prayers  in  it,  &  every  Sunday  since  it  has  been  very 
full,  when  I  attend  at  Home,  which  is  only  once  every 
Month.    We  are  all  growing  old,  we  are  very  weak  handed, 
few  come  from  England  to  help  us.    I  suppose  they  are 
much  wanted  with  you :  I  understand  that  few  enter  into 
orders  of  late  Years,  since  y«  Destruction  of  y"  Society. 
Here  I  can  assure  you  y"  Harvest  is  great,  but  y"  Labourers 
are  too  few.    Where  I  am  situated,  I  attend  ten  Counties  by 
myself  ;  to  have  it  done  as  it  ought,  it  would  take  ten  able 
men.    Pray  fervently,  that  God  may  bless  all  our  undertak- 
ings.   The  Book  of  y"  History  of  y"  Church  &c.  which  you 
Bent  me  some  Years  ago,  has  contributed  much  to  our  Num- 
bers,  it  is  forever  a  going  from  Family  to  Family  of  different 
Persuasions.    Be  so  good,  if  you  know  any  Books  of  equal 
Force,  that  have  appeared  of  late  years,  to  contribute  your 
Mite  towards  our  successes  by  sending  them  to  me.    New 
Books  of  that  kind  are  not  with  us."  ' 


I  Rev  Joseph  Mwley  to  Mrs.  Dann,  October  4. 1784.  Rev.  P.  Smyth, 
in  his  "  Present  State,"  portrays  the  priests  on  tlie  Eastern  Shore  as  living 
in  the  midst  of  opulence  and  luxury.  Dr.  Carroll  justly  said  :  "  If  curi- 
osity should  be  excited  by  his  misrepresentation  to  travel  to  the  Eastern 
shore  of  Maryland,  it  will  find  there  but  two  clergymen.  One  of  these 
lives  on  the  confines  of  Maryland  and  State  of  Delaware  (Bohemia),  in  a 


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300 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


The  Very  Rev.  Prefect  by  his  visitations,  even  though 
tliey  did  not  include  all  the  congregations  placed  under  his 
control,  had  acquired  a  far  more  accurate  knowledge  of  the 
condition,  wants,  and  certain  progress  of  the  Church.    Al- 
though some  of  his  brethren,  as  we  have  seen  at  the  last 
meeting  of  tiie  Chapter,  retained  their  old  dread  of  a  bishop, 
and  a  committee  had  actually  prepared  and  apparently  for- 
warded a  protest  against  the  appointment  of  one  for  the 
United  States,  Dr.  Carroll  had  become  convinced  that  it 
would  be  impossible  for  any  one  not  invested  with  the  epis- 
copal character  and  jurisdiction  to  maintain  unity  and  har- 
mony, or  to  provide  priests  for  the  old  congregations  and 
the  new  bodies  of  Catholics  arising  at  many  points  and  de- 
veloping rapidly  by  immigration. 

The  other  step  was  the  establishment  of  an  Academy  for 
the  education  of  Catholic  youth,  which  would  enable  them 
"  to  form  subjects  capable  of  becoming  useful  members  of 
the  ministry."     At  first  the  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll,  taking 
the  loud  professions  of  liberality  and  religious  equality,  which 
were  then  generally  made,  to  be  real  and  sincere,  had  in- 
dulged the  hope  that  institutions  of  learning  would  be  so 
conducted  that  Catholics  could  resort  to  them  wthout  peril 
to  their  faith,  and  without  being  subjected  there  to  constant 
contumely  and  insult  in  the  text-lwoks  and  the  language  of 
the  teachers.     He  even  took  part  in  such  institutions ;  but 
this  hope  was  soon  crushed.     The  professions  of  liberality 
were  fallacious.    Institutions  endowed  and  sui)ported  by  the 


house  not  only  inelegant,  but  ruinous  and  Bcarce  affording  shelter  from 
the  weather.  The  other  (Rev.  Joseph  Mosley)  occupies  a  cell  such  as  the 
woman  of  Sunam  prepared  for  the  prophet  Elisha  (4  Book  of  Kinirs 
o.  4),  containing  just  space  enough  for  a  ted.  a  table,  and  a  stool." 
father  Mosley  s  letter  and  drawings  show  that  Dr.  Carroll  did  not 
exaggerate. 


THE  CHAPTER  PROJECTS  A  SCHOOL.       301 

State  were  exclusively  and  offensively  Protestant  in  tone,  in 
religious  exercises,  and  in  hostility  to  everything  Catholic. 

When  the  General  Chapter  met  at  Whitemarsh,  November 
13  1786,  the  necessity  of  such  an  institution  to  train  young 
men,  and  keep  alive  vocations  to  the  ecclesiastical  state,  seems 
to  have  been  brought  earnestly  before  the  body  by  the  Very 
Rev.  Prefect.  The  Chapter  was  attended  by  Revs.  Ignatius 
Matthews  and  James  Walton  for  the  Southern  District,  Ber- 
nard Diderick  and  John  Ashton  for  the  Middle  District. 
The  Very  Rev.  John  Carroll  attended  on  the  15th  at  their 

request. 

Rules  of  order  were  adopted  ;  an  appropriation  was  made 
to  repair  Newtown  dwelling-house ;  the  account  with  Rev. 
Mr.  Frambach  was  adjusted,  and  his  salary  and  that  of  his 
successor  provided  for  ; '  the  salary  of  the  priest  at  Lancaster 
was  fixed.  The  salary  of  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll,  as  long  a& 
he  resided  in  Baltimore,  was  made  £210  per  annum  ;  a  set- 
tlement was  made  with  the  English  province.  They  dep- 
recated the  assuming  by  any  priest  of  any  position  as  Ex- 
ecutor, Trustee,  or  Guardian,  and  disclaimed  all  responsibility 
for  the  acts  of  any  one  so  unwise  as  to  undertake  such  a 

charge. 

The  disinterestedness  of  these  priests  is  shown  m  the  fol- 
lowing :  "  Where  clergymen  live  in  places  sufficiently  pro- 
vided for  from  our  Estates  in  the  judgment  of  the  District 
Chapter,  to  which  they  belong,  it  shall  not  be  lawful  for 
them  to  deman.l  a  support  from  the  faithful,  but  they  are  to 
serve  them  and  administer  the  sacraments  in  all  cases  gratis." 

The  important  step  at  this  meeting  was  "  Resolves  con- 
cerning the  Institution  of  a  school." 

It  was  provided— 1.  That  a  school  be  erected  for  the  edu- 


Thi8  refutes  one  of  Smyth's  charges. 


.' 


<!  T  ■• 


.  I',! til 


302 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


cation  of  youth  and  the  perpetuity  of  the  body  of  clergy  in 
this  country. 

2.  Tliat  the  following  plan  be  adopted  for  the  cai-ryin./ 
the  same  into  execution.  ** 


PLAN   OF  THE  SCHOOL. 

1.  In  order  to  raise  the  money  necessary  for  erecting  the 
aforesaid  school,  a  general  subscription  shall  be  opened  im- 
mediately. 

2.  Proi>er  persons  shall  be  appointed  in  different  partfl  of 
the  Continent,  West  India  Islands,  and  Europe  to  solicit  sub- 
scriptions and  collect  the  same. 

3.  Five  Directors  of  the  School  and  the  business  relative 
thereto  shall  be  appointed  by  the  General  Chapter. 

4.  The  moneys  collected  by  subscription  shall  be  lodged  in 
the  hands  of  the  fi  ,  e  aforesaid  Directors. 

5.  Masters  and  tutors  to  l)e  procured  and  paid  by  the  Di- 
rectors quarterly  and  subject  to  their  directions. 

6.  The  Students  are  to  be  received  by  the  Managers  on  the 
following  terms. 

TERMS   OF   THE   SCHOOL. 

1.  The  Students  shall  be  boarded  at  the  Parents'  expense. 

2.  The  pension  for  tuition  shall  ho  £10  currency  per  an- 
num, and  is  to  be  paid  quarterly  and  always  in  advance. 

3.  With  the  pension  the  students  shall  be  provided  with 
masters,  books,  paper,  pens,  ink,  and  firewood  in  the  school. 

4.  The  Directors  shall  have  power  to  make  further  regu- 
lations as  circumstances  may  point  out  necessary. 

OTHER   RESOLVES  CONCERNING   THE   SCHOOL. 

1.  The  Gen'.  Chapter  in  order  to  forward  the  al)Ove  Insti- 
tution grants  £100  sterling  towards  building  the  school, 


GEORGETOWN  COLLEGE. 


806 


which  sum  shall  be  raised  out  of  the  sale  of  a  certain  tract 

2.  The  residue  of  the  monies  arising  out  of  the  sale  of  the 
„l,ove  said  land  shall  be  applied  by  the  Gen'.  Chapter  to  the 
same  purpose,  if  required  to  complete  the  intended  plan. 

3".  That  the  Proc'.  gen',  be  authorized  to  raise  the  said 
Burns  to  lay  it  out  for  the  above  purpose,  as  the  Directors 

shall  ordain. 

4.  The  Gen .  Chapter  orders  this  school  to  be  erected  ni 
George  Town,  in  the  State  of  Maryland. 

5.  A  Clergyman  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Directors  to 
superintend  the  masters  &  tuition  of  the  students  &  shall  be 
removeable  by  them. 

6.  The  said  Clergyman  shall  be  allowed  a  decent  living. 

7.  The  Gen'.  Chapter  has  appointed  the  IIR.  Messrs.  John 
Carroll,  James  Pellentz,  Rob'  Molyneux,  John  Ashton,  and 
Leon''  Keale,  directors  of  the  school. 

This  was  the  first  step  toward  the  foundation  of  George- 
town College.  It  emanated  undoubtedly  from  Very  Rev. 
Dr.  Carroll,  and  was  adopted  in  a  chapter  where  a  bare  quo- 
rum attended,  though  Rev.  Mr.  Pellentz,  who  could  not  at- 
tend, wrote  warmly  advocating  the  plan. 

At  this  meeting  it  was  also  decided  that  in  their  opinion 
a  diocesan  Bishop,  depending  directly  on  the  Holy  See,  was 
alone  suited  to  the  wants  of  the  Church  in  the  United  States, 
and  that  the  selection  of  the  Bishop  ought  to  be  made  by  the 
clergy  then  on  the  mission. 

The  Prefect-Apostolic,  and  two  members  of  the  clergy, 
Messrs.  Molvneux  and  Ashton,  were  authorized  to  prepare  a 
memorial  ei'nbodying  these  points.  Steps  were  also  taken  to 
procure  an  incorporation  by  the  State  of  Maryland  of  the 
body  of  the  clergy  to  insure  the  property,  which,  under  Eng- 


f 


If 


>n 


804 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


lish  rule,  it  had  been  necessary  to  hold  in  the  names  of  indj. 
viduuls.' 

Tlio  clergy  in  the  southern  district  vehemently  oppoHci 
the  action  taken  by  the  Chapter.  They  protested  against  tlio 
api)ointinent  of  a  Bishop,  and  the  erection  of  the  school  at 
Georgetown. 

A  calm  and  very  comprehensive  reply  was  made  to  tlurn 
by  Rev.  Messrs.  Digges,  Ashton,  Sewall,  and  Boarman,  Dr, 
Carroll  appending  his  signature.  It  showed  conclusively  that 
the  only  choice  lay  between  the  apjwintment  of  a  Vicar- 
Aix)8tolic  by  the  Propaganda,  a  step  already  proposed  aiul 
delayed  by  the  influence  of  Dr.  Carroll,  and  the  erectio.i  „f 
an  Episcopal  See  with  a  diocesan  bishop,  to  be  selected  by 
the  clergy  in  America.'  If  they  rejected  the  latter,  the  for- 
mer  must  inevitably  be  decided  upon,  so  that  the  country 
would,  in  all  probability,  remain  under  Vicars-Apostolic  as 
England  had. 

The  opposition  to  an  undertaking  which  the  Very  Rev. 
Prefect  regjirded  as  i)regnant  with  the  greatest  blessings  was 
entirely  unexpected.     To  the  Rev.  Leonard  Neale,  who  had 
l)ecome  adverse  to  it,  the  V.  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  wrote:  "When 
amongst  you  I  conversed  on  the  subject  of  a  school  with 
every  one  of  you,  excepting  perhaps  Mr.  Roels ;  and  it  aj)- 
pearcd  to  be  the  general  and  unanimous  opinion,  that  it  was 
an  advantageous  and  necessary  measure."  .  .  .  .  "  When  I 
first  saw  your  letter  I  own  that  I  felt  myself  greatly  disheart- 
ened :  but  consideration  has  in  some  measure  revived  my 
hopes.     Almighty  God  suffers  almost  every  design  to  be 
thwarted  and  oftenfimes  by  the  best  men,  from  which  emi- 
nent advantage  is  afterwards  to  be  derived  to  His  glory,  tlit 


'  Procmlinjrs  of  tlie  General  Chapter  In  the  year  1786. 

»  •'  To  the  Reverend  Oentl.-men  of  the  Southern  District  of  Maryland. 


OEORGETOWN  COLLEGE. 


806 


we  may  be  made  more  Hensiblo  of  IHh  divine  interposition  in 
itH  final  succesfl.  My  liopcH  are  perlmps  too  Banguinc :  but 
(}(.d  is  my  wituoss,  that  in  recointnetiding  a  school  at  first, 
and  in  still  persisting  in  that  recommendation,  I  think  1  am 
rendering  to  Religion  the  greatest  service  that  will  ever  be 

in  my  p(»wer." 

Ill  this  opposition  the  Rev.  Bernard  Diderick  was  the 
loader;  but  the  Very  Rev.  Prefect  held  firm,  and  as  the  plan 
had  been  adopted  in  Chapter,  he  persevered,  though  in  some 
other  matters  he  suspended  action  till  they  had  been  more 
fully  considered  at  a  future  meeting.* 

Limited  as  were  his  powers  and  scanty  his  resources  he 
felt  that  the  establishment  of  a  Catholic  Academy  could  not 
be  deferred.     "  In  the  beginning,"  he  wrote  to  his  friend. 
Rev.  Charles  Plowden,  "the  Academy  will  not  receive  board- 
ers, but  they  must  provide  lodgings  in  town  ;  but  all  notori- 
ous deviations  from  the  rules  of  morality,  out,  as  well  as  in 
school,  must,  be  subjected  to  exemplary  correction,  every  care 
mid  precaution  that  can  be  devised  will  be  employed  to  pre- 
serve attention  to  the  duties  of  religion  and  good  manners,  in 
which  other  American  schools  are  most  notoriously  deficient. 
One  of  our  own  gentlemen,  and  the  best  qualified  we  can 
get,  will  live  at  the  Academy  to  have  the  general  direction 
of  the  studies  and  superintendence  over  scholars  and  masters. 
Four  other  of  our  gentlemen  will  be  nominated  to  visit  the 
Academy  at  stated  times,  and  whenever  they  can  make  it 
convenient,  to  see  that  the  business  is  properly  conducted. 
In  the  beginning  we  shall  be  obliged  to  employ  secvdar  mas- 
ters, under  the  superintendent,  of  which  many  and  tolerably 
good  ones  have  already  solicited  appointments.     The  great 
influx  from  Europe  of  men  of  all  professions  and  talents  has 


'  Letter  from  Baltimore,  February  7,  1787. 


um 


hO'^  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CAIUiOLL. 

proctin.5^  this  opportunity  of  f»,)vidin^  teachers.     n„t  tJiiH 
U  not  intended  to  l)e  a  |H;rinniifnt  i.v«ten..     We  trunt  in  ({,h| 
that  many  youths  will  he  eallud  tu  fhe  wrvico  of  theChurcii 
After  finirthiiig  i '  •>  acadenjical  studies,  thew  will  bo  sent  to  a 
mniriary  which  w.ii  Ik-  e«tahl)-!w.d  in  one  of  our  houses;  un.l 
«»^  have  through  (Jod's  .nercv.      ..lace  and  sitnution  ad'niira- 
h[y   "ttlculated  for  the  purpose  .A  retirement,  where  tliene 
youths  may  be  jKjrfecteil  in  their  first,  and  initiated  into  the 
higher  studies,  and  at  the  sjune  time  formed  to  the  virtues 
k'coming  their  stati.ni.     Before  these  young  Keminarists  are 
admitted  to  orders,  they  will  Ih)  sent  to  teach  M»me  years  at 
the  Academy,  which  will  improve  their  knowledge  and  ri|.,.i, 
their  minds  still  more,  before  they  irrevocably  engage  theiu- 
Belves  to  the  Church."  ' 

He  wrote  earnestly  to  his  friends  i„  Europe  to  obtain  an 
exjierienced  principal  for  the  Academy,  m  well  as  for  advice 
in  regard  to  the  course  of  studies  and  the  proper  text-lxioks. 

Meanwhile  printe<i  proposjils  were  sent  out  to  the  Catholic 
body,  and  preparations  mad.;  for  erecting  suitable  buildings 
at  Georgetown,  where  a  site  had  l)een  obtained. 


PROPOSALS 

for  establishing  an  Academy  at  George  Town,  Patowniack 
River,  Maryland. 

The  object  of  the  proposed  Institution  is  to  unite  the 
Means  of  communicating  Science  with  an  effectual  Provision 
for  guarding  and  improving  the  Morals  of  Youth.  With 
this  View  the  Sen)inary  will  be  suj^erintended  by  those,  who, 
having  had  Experience  in  similar  Institutions,  know  that  an 


'  Very  Rev.  .John  Carroll  to  Rev.  Charles  Plowdcn,  Marcli.  H"; 
Woodstock  Letters. 


QEORQETOWN  COLLEGE. 


807 


un<livi(lc«l  Attention  niuy  bo  given  to  the  rnltivation  of  Vir- 
tue and  liti-rary  Iinprovrmeiit ;  and  tliat  a  JS^Hteni  of  Diwi 
pline  may  be  introduced  and  proHervtM     incompatiidc  with 
Indolence  and  Inattention  In  the  Professor,  or  with  incor- 
rigible IlabitH  of  Iniinorality  in  the  Student. 

The  Henetit  of  this  EHtablishnient  should  be  as  general 
iw  the  Attainment  of  its  Object  is  desirable.  It  will,  there- 
fore, receivi'  I'upils  as  «t>on  sis  they  have  learned  the  first  Ele- 
niontH  of  Letters,  and  will  conduct  them  through  the  several 
nnooheH  of  Classical  Learning  to  that  Stage  of  Education, 
from  which  they  nuiy  [)roceed,  with  Advantage  to  the  Study 
of  the  higher  Scuenees,  in  the  University  of  this,  or  those  of 
the  neighbcturing  States.  Thus  it  will  be  calculated  for  every 
(!lass  of  Citizens; — as  Reading,  Writing,  Arithmetic,  the 
earlier  Branches  of  the  Mathenuitics,  and  the  (irammar  t)f 
our  native  Tongue  will  be  attended  to,  no  less  than  the  learned 
Languages. 

Agreeably  to  the  liberal  Principle  of  our  Constitution,  the 
Seminary  will  be  open  to  Students  of  Evkky  kelkhous  Pro- 
KKssioN.  They,  who  in  this  Respect  differ  from  the  Super- 
intendents of  the  Academy,  will  be  at  Liberty  to  frequent  the 
Place  of  Worship  and  Instruction  appointed  by  their  Par- 
ents; but  with  Respect  to  their  moral  Conduct,  all  must  be 
subject  to  general  and  uniform  Discipline. 

In  the  choice  of  Situation,  Salubrity  of  Air,  Convenience 
of  Communication  and  Cheapness  of  Living,  have  been  prin- 
cipally consulted,  and  George-Town  offers  these  united  Ad- 
van  tageB. 

The  Price  of  Tuition  will  be  moderate ;  in  the  Course  of 
a  few  Years  it  will  l>o  reduced  still  lower,  if  the  System 
formed  for  this  Seminury,  be  effectually  carried  into  execution. 

Such  a  Plan  of  Education  solicits,  and,  it  is  not  Presump- 
tion to  add,  deserves  public  Encouragement. 


l\M 


fp 


808 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


The  following  Gentlemen,  and  others  that  may  be  ap- 
pointed hereafter,  will  receive  Subscriptions,  and  inform  tlio 
Subscribers,  to  whom  and  in  what  Proportion,  Payments  are 
to  be  made :— In  Maryland— The  Hon.  Charles  Carroll,  of 
Carrollton,  Henry  Rozer,  Notley  Young,  Robert  Darnall, 
George  Diggs,  Edmund  Plowden,  Esqrs.,  Mr,  Joseph  Mil- 
lard, Capt.  John  Lancaster,  Mr.  Baker  Brooke,  Chandler 
Brent,  Esqr.,  Mr.  Bernard  O'Neill,  and  Mr,  Marsham  War- 
ing, Merchants,  John  Darnall  and  Ignatius  Wheeler,  Esqrs., 
on  the  Western  Shore;  and  on  the  Eastern,  Rev.  Joseph 
Mosley,  John  Blake,  Francis  Hall,  Charles  Blake,  William 
Matthews  and  John  Tuitte,  Esqrs. — In  Pennsylvania- 
George  Mead  and  Thomas  Fitzsimmons,  Esqrs.,  Mr.  Josep'n 
Cauifman,  Mr.  Mark  Willcox  and  Mr.  Thomas  Lilly.— In 
Virginia- -Col.  Fitzgerald,  and  George  Brent,  Esqrs.— and 
at  New  York,  Dominick  Lynch,  Esquire. 

Subscriptions  will  also  be  received,  and  every  necessary  In- 
formation given,  by  the  following  Gentlemen,  Directors  of 
the  Undertaking :— The  Rev.  Messrs.  John  Carroll,  James 
Pellentz,  Robert  Molyneux,  John  Ashton,  and  Leonard 
Neale. 

To  all  liberally  inclined  to  promote  the 
Education  of  Youth. 

Be  it  known  by  these  Presents  that  I  the  undersigned,  have 
appointed to  receive  any  generous  donation  for  the  pur- 
pose set  forth  in  a  certain  printed  paper,  entitled  Proposals 
for  establishing  an  Academy,  at  George-Town,  Patowmack 

River,  Maryland ;  for  which will  give  receipts  to  the 

Benefactors,  and  remit  the  monies  received  by to  itje 

the  aforesaid  underwritten,  one  of  the  Directors  of  the  Un- 
dertaking, Conscious  also  of  the  merited  Confidence  placed 
in  the  aforef-id I  moreover  authorize to  appoint 


BEV.  P.  SMYTH. 


809 


any  other  person  or  persons  to  execute  the  same  liberal  Ofl&ce, 
as  he  is  authorized  by  me  to  execute. 

this day  of ,  17 — . 

Signed  and  sealed, 

J.  Carroll.' 

Dr.  Carroll  solicited  a  course  of  study  from  Rome,  but  the 
Propaganda  left  that  subject  as  well  as  the  rules  of  domestic 
discipline  to  his  judgment,  subject  to  the  consideration  and 
approbation  of  the  Holy  See." 

Dr.  Carroll  thus  persevered  in  his  attempt  to  establish  a 
Catholic  College  :  in  regard  to  the  proposed  bishopric,  more 
personal  to  himself,  he  did  not  care  to  act  in  opposition  to 
the  general  wish,  though  the  difficulties  in  New  York  showed 
that  the  present  condition  could  not  be  prolonged.  The  little 
body  of  the  old  missioners  in  Maryland  looked  forward  to 
the  speedy  restoration  of  the  Society  to  which  they  had  be- 
longed, and  to  its  re-entrance  into  all  its  rights. 

But  events  soon  occurred  which  convinced  them  of  the  ne- 
cessity of  the  action  of  the  Chapter.  Among  the  clergy  who 
had  recently  come  into  the  country,  there  were  unmistaka- 
ble signs  of  a  jealousy  of  the  clergy  then  in  Maryland. 

In  1787  there  arrived  on  the  American  mission  a  priest 
whose  moral  character  was  blameless,  but  whose  discontented 
and  utigratefiil  spirit  proved  the  source  of  great  trials  to 
Dr.  Carroll.  The  Rev.  Patrick  Smyth,  a  native  of  Kells, 
educated  in  France,  Wiis  parish  priest  at  Dunboyne  in  1787, 
when  the  apostasy  of  Dr.  Butler  so  shocked  the  Catholics  of 
Ireland.     Rev.  Mr.  Smyth  felt  it  so  deeply  tliat  he  resigned 


'  "Tlie  Georgetown  College  Journal,"  vi.,  p.  50,  describea  the  Pros- 
pectus as  in  size  15  by  18  inches,  and  believes  it  to  have  been  printed  by 
the  Greens  at  Annapolis. 

»  Cardinal  Autonelli  to  Very  Rev.  John  Carroll,  August  8,  1787. 


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II 

|;1      J^^ 

;  jn  V 

i  ffl^; 

;   iS^I 

310 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


his  parish  and  came  to  the  United  States  as  a  missionary, 
having  also  some  family  matters  here  that  required  liis 
attention.     Rev.  Dr.  Carroll   received  him  as  one  of  his 
clergy,  and  at  the  heginning  of  winter  stationed   him  at 
Frederick,  Maryland,  where  he  remained  till  April,  1788 
succeeding  the  Rev.  Mi-.  Frambach  at  that  place.     He  at- 
tended a  number  of  stations  and  fulfilled  his  duties  so  satis- 
factorily that  Dr.  Carroll  attested  liis  zeal  and  fidelity,  es- 
pecially in  visiting  remote  stations.     On  the  15th  of  March 
he  wrote  to  the  Prefect-Apostolic  that  lie  had  resolved  to 
return  to  Ireland.     While  profuse  in  expressing  his  thanks 
to  Dr.  Carroll  for  frequent  acts  of  courtesy  and  liberality, 
he  announced   that  he   would   proceed   to   Baltimore  and 
resign   his   faculties.     This   he  did,    remaining   with    the 
Yery  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  and  Rev.  Mr.  Sewall  for  nearly  a 
month  before  he  sailed.     After  his  departure  a  letter  was 
handed  to  Dr.  Carroll  from  him  full  of  the  most  ungenerous 
insinuations. 

This  was  but  the  prelude  to  a  violent  attack  on  Dr.  Carroll 
and  the  older  missionaries  in  America  which  he  inihlished  in 
pamphlet  form  at  Dublin  in  1788.     Its  very  title,  "  The  Pres- 
ent State  of  the  Catholic  Mission  conducted  by  the  Ex-Jcsuits 
in  North  America,"  shows  that  it  was  prompted  inninly  by 
hostility  to  the  Society  of  Jesus,  a  feeling  evinced  also  by  a 
threat  of  publishing  a  new  translation  of  Pascal's  "  Pronncial 
I^etters."     The  main  charge  was  that  iae  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll 
and  the  memlwrs  of  the  suppressed  Society  kej)t  all  the  lucra- 
tive missions  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  to  themselves, 
and  no  position  of  influence  would  be  given  to  any  secular 
priest ;  he  accused  the  Jesuits  of  neglecting  to  extend  mis- 
sions throughout  the  colonies,  of  building  spiendid  mansions 
for  themselves,  and  even  of  cruel  treatment  of  the  negroes. 
The  Dominican  Father  William  O'Brien  at  New  York, 


THE  REPLY  TO  SMYTH. 


311 


as  a  friend  of  the  Prefect,  was  violently  denounced  by  his 
brother  Irish  priest. 

Dr.  Carroll  felt  sensibly  the  prejudice  this  virulent  pam- 
phlet would  create  among  the  clergy  of  Ireland,  to  which  body 
he  looked  for  priests  to  minister  to  their  countrymen  already 
emigrating  in  large  numbers  to  America.     He  resolved  to 
prepare  a  reply,  and  actually  began  one,  the  rough  unfinished 
draft  still  existing :  but  letters  from  Archbishop  Troy  and 
other  members  of  the  hierarchy  in  Ireland,  as  well  as  from 
priests,  who  advised  him  to  take  no  notice  of  it,  induced  him 
to  lay  aside  his  projected  answer.     Smyth's  turbulent  charac- 
ter was  not  unknown  in  Ireland  ;  he  was  soon  involved  in  a 
controversy  with  Dr.  Plunkett,  Bishop  of  Meath,  and  when 
after  some  years  he  submitted  and  obtained  a  parish,  he  al- 
most immediately  became  embroiled  with  his  curate. 

In  the  sketch  prepared  by  Very  Rev.   Dr.  Carroll,  he 
showed  Smyth's  perversions  of  history :  the  Jesuits  under- 
took to  maintain  a  mission  in  Maryland,  and  did  so  at  their 
own  cost :  neither  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  nor  the  Vicar- Apos- 
tolic in  England  had  ever  assigned  all  the  colonies  to  them  as 
a  field,  nor  had  they  ever  undertaken  to  supply  them  all. 
The  Vicars-Apostolic  in  England  and  Bishops  in  Ireland 
might  at  any  time  have  undertaken  missions  in  any  part  of 
the  colonies,  as  Franciscans  really  did  in  Maryland  for  half  a 
century.     He  denied  the  charge  that  the  Jesuits  had  magnifi- 
cent abodes  on  the  Potomac  and  the  Eastern  Shore,  in  which 
Kev.  Mr.  Sniyth  evidently  exaggerated  accounts  given  by  a 
traveller  of  his  name.     As  to  the  charge  that  the  Maryland 
missionaries  treated  their  negroes  cruelly,  he  wrote :  "  They 
deny  that  he  ever  saw  one  single  instance  in  any  clergyman 
of  America,  of  the  horrible  crime  which  he  imputes  generally 
to  them  all.     On  the  contrary  they  say  that  few  amongst 
them  are  concerned  in  the  management  of  estates  or  negroes; 


Ii4 


^-^ijilit; 


812 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


that  no  such  avocation  diverts  them  from  their  pastoral  du- 
ties ;  that  the  few  to  whom  the  management  is  committed 
treat  their  negroes  with  great  mildness  and  are  attentive  t(! 
guard  them  from  the  evils  of  hunger  and  nakedness ;  that 
they  work  less  and  are  much  better  fed,  lodged,  and  clothed 
than  laboring  men  in  almost  any  part  of  Europe ;  that  the  in- 
stances  are  rare  indeed  and  almost  unknown  of  corporal  pun- 
ishment being  inflicted  on  any  of  them  who  are  come  to  the 
age  of  manhood ;  and  that  'a  priest's  negro '  is  almost  proverbial 
for  one,  who  is  allowed  to  act  without  restraint."     He  cites  in 
evidence  of  this  the  fact  that  when  British  cruisers  plundered 
the  plantations,  while  crowds  of  negroes  from  other  planta- 
tions sought  liberty  under  the  English  flag,  only  two  negroes 
from  the  plantations  of  the  Catholic  clergy  did  so,  one  of 
whom  soon  returned,  the  rest  fleeing  to  avoid  the  English 
and  remain  as  they  were,' 


'  Smyth,  "  The  Present  State  of  the  Catholic  Mission  conducted  by  tlie 
Ex-.Iesuita  in  North  America,"  Dublin,  P.  Byrne,  1788.     Rev.  Dr  ("ar- 
roU.  Draft  of  a  reply  ;  Letter  of  Rev.  P.  Smyth  to  Very  Rev  John  Car 
roll,  Fredericktown,  March  15,  1788  ;  same  to  Mr.  Robert  Walsh   May 
6,  1788  ;  Very  Rev.  J.  Carroll  to  Archbishop  of  Dublin,  August  11   1788 
in  "Spicilep.  0.s.sor.,"iii,  p.  504;  Cogan.  "  The  Ecclesiastical  History  of 
the  Dioces«-of  Meath,  Ancient  and  Modern,"  Dublin,  1874,  i.,  pp.  l9,^, 
811  ;  iii..  pp.  129,  149.    Addressing  his  friend  Thorpe,  May  8,  1789  Dr 
Carroll  mentioned  that  the  Archbishops  in  Ireland  had  iwked  him  not  to  no- 
tice Smyth's  pamphlet,  but  he  adds:  "  I  have  been  told  by  my  Brethren 
that  I  owe  it  lo  them,  if  not  to  my  own  charucter  to  answer  it  "    The  Rev 
A.  Cogan,  in  his  History  of  the  Diocese  of  Meath,  siiys  of  this  clergyman  • 
••  Patrick  Smith  was  a  man  of  splendid  abilities,  of  ready  and  versatile 
talent,  but  wiw  in  disposition  restless  as  a  wave  ;  pre-eminently  factious 
and  discontented.     He  offlciated  in  the  capacity  of  pastor  in  various  parts 
of  the  diocese,  emigrated  to  America,  transferred  his  .services  to  Dr  Car- 
roll, Bishop  of  Baltimore,  and  returned  to  Meath,  choleric  and  disap- 
pomted.  angry  with  himself  and  with  the  worid.  Inilieving  all  his  ecciesi 
astical  suiieriors  to  be  unmindful  of  his  many  iK-rfections,  and  regarding 
lumself  as  the  most  unhappy  and  ill-treated  of  men.     It  was  his  misfor 
tune,  as  has  happened  to  others  too,  that  his  bishop  had  tiiken  too  much 


WANT  OF  PRIESTS. 


313 


Writing  to  Archbishop  Troy,  of  Dublin,  Dr.  Carroll  said  : 
u  I  lament  with  your  Lordship  that  there  are  not  more  cler- 
.vmen  in  the  United  States.     They  are  large  enough  and 
offer  a  field  wide  enough  for  many  more  laborers     But  un- 
fortunately almost  all  who  offer  their  services   have  great 
expectations  of  livings,  high  salaries,  &c.,  and  these  our 
country  does  not  afford.     Most  of  the  stations  to  which  sala- 
ieB  are  annexed  are  occupied  ;  and  I  find  few,  or  to  speak 
„,ore  properly,  I  find  none  willing  to  commit  themselves  en- 
tirely to  the  care  of  Providence,  and  seek  to  gather  congre- 
gations, and  hvings  of  consequence,  by  fixing  themselves  in 
places  where  no  missioners  preceded  them.     Your  Grace 
Inows  it  was  thus  that  religion  was  propagated  in  every  age 
of  the  Church.     If  clergymen  animated  with  this  spirit  wil 
offer  their  services,  I  will  receive  them  with  the  greatest 
cheerfulness,  and  direct  their  zeal  where  there  is  every  pros- 
pect of  success;   and  will  make  no  manner  of  distinction 
Ltween  Seculars  and  Regulars.     But  one  tlung  must  l>e 
fully  impressed  on  their  minds,  that  no  pecuniary  prospects 
or  woruiy  comforts  must  enter  into  the  motives  for  their 
rossing  tlie  Atlantic  to  this  country.     They  will  find  theui- 
elves  much  disappointed.     Labour,  hardships  o   every  kiiui 
and  particularly  great  scarcity  of  wine  (especia  ly  out  of    he 
towii)  must  be  home  with.     Sobriety  in  drink  is  expected 
from    lergymen  to  a  great  degree.     That  w  iich  m  many 
parts  of  Europe  would  be  esteemed  no  more  than  a  cheerful 


„oUce  of  ...  Md  dc.e  too  ^.  ^ ^  ^^^^  ^PO^^  '^- 

nmn,  a  priest  of  the  same  diocese. 
14 


(F 


;v 


m 


.'1* 


■•^lllllf 


314  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

and  allowable  enjoynient  of  a  friendly  company,  would  be 
regarded  here  in  our  clergy  as  an  unl)econiii,g  excess  »  ' 

Even  in  the  heart  of  New  England,  Catholics  were  beiri,,. 
n.ng  to  gather.     The  few  in  Boston  in  1788  rejoiced  at  the 
arrival  of  a  French  priest  from  the  diocese  of  An-^ers  the 
Kev.  Claudius  Florent  Bouchaud  de  la  Poterie,  to  wlunnDr 
Carroll  gave  faculties  on  the  24th  of  December.     He  an' 
nounced   his  appointment  in  a  pompous   printed  Pastoni 
Letter.     The  site  of  a  French  Huguenot  church  on  School 
Street  was  obtained,  the  title  of  which,  by  previous  deeds 
could  be  conveyed  only  to  natives  of  France.     Here  a  brick 
cliurch  was  commenced,  and  was  dedicated  on  All  Saints' 
Day,  1788,  under  the  invocation  of  the  Holy  Cross.     Rev 
Mr.  de  la  Poterie  was  a  man  of  education  and  address;  he 
obtained  subscriptions  for  the  new  church,  not  only  in  JVew 
England,  but  also  in  Canada.' 

The  French  members  of  the  congregation  at  Boston,  see- 
ing the  Catholic  body  there  too  small  and  poor  to  ,)rovide 
the  church  with  the  necessary  vestments  and  plate  for  the 
altar,  sent  an  appeal  to  the  Archbishop  of  Paris,  informing 
bmi  of  the  struggle  the  Catholics  were  making  to  establish 
divine  worship  in  the  capital  of  New  England.  The  Arch 
bishop  did  not  disreg-ard  the  appeal ;  he  sent  a  needed  outfit 
to  the  church  in  Boston,  but  warned  the  Catholics  against 
wandering  priests,  and  informed  them  that  faculties  had  been 


•  Very  Rev.  .John  Carroll  to  Moat  Rev.  Dr.  Trov,  NoverabcT  9  1789. 
name  to  same.  August  11,  1788;  Cardinal  Moran/"  Spicile,nu„.  olo": 
ense,"  III.,  pp.  .507,  508.  b  uiin/i«ori- 

'  I>e  '"^Poterie.  '•  A  Pastoral  Letter  from  the  Apostolic  Vice-Prefect 

.e" :;  's  T :  r"  t:  "^ "™'"" "  f^"*'^""-  ^'««i  =  ••  Memoir ;  •«  ? 

I  eSa!esLaterrK^^.,  Queln-e."  1873,  p.  165;  "  Gazette  cJc  QuelK-c"  Sun 
r  ement,  October  22  1789.  I  „„,  under  oblipuions  to  licv.  J.  IL.Z 
bte.  Foye.  and  Mr.  P.  Gagnon,  of  Queln-c,  for  these  la.st  reference 


AFFAIRS  IN  BOSTON. 


315 


taken  from  De  la  Poterie  in  Paris  on  account  of  his  culpable 

conduct.'  .    ,      ,     1    J  I 

The  Rev  Dr.  Carroll  had  also  learned  that  he  had  been 
imposed  upon  by  an  unworthy  priest,  whose  life  at  Paris, 
Home,  and  Naples  was  by  no  means  creditable.      His  con- 
duct in  Boston  justified  the  information,  and  the  Very  Rev. 
Prefect  deputed  the  Rev.  William  O'Brien,  of  New  York,  to 
proceed  to  New  England  and  withdraw  the  faculties  o    the 
wretched  priest.     A  violent  little  pamphlet,  called      The 
Rnsurrection  of  Laurent  Ricci,"  attacking  the  Very  Rev. 
Prefect,  the  Dominican  Father  O'Brien,  and  representmg 
De  la  Poterie  as  a  victim  to  their  wiles,  appears  to  have  been 
issued  by  him  in  revenge.' 

De  la  Poterie  subsequently  visited  Canada  and  endeavored 
to  secure  a  position  in  that  country.  He  failed,  but  inserted 
in  the  "  Journal  de  Quebec"  a  profuse  expression  of  thanks 
for  the  courtesies  extended  to  him.*  ^ 

The  successor  of  La  Poterie  at  Boston  was  the  Rev.  Louis 
Rousselet,  whose  ministry  was  by  no  means  an  advantage  to 
the  little  congregation  of  fifty  or  sixty  Catholics  then  m 
Boston.  Bishop  Carroll  was  compelled  to  withdraw  his  fac- 
ulties    Rousselet  then  went  to  Guadaloupe  and  was  put  to 


1  B  U  Can  pbell  in  "  U.  8.  Catholic  Magazine,"  viii.,  p.  102. 

»  Letter  of  Rev.  Mr.  Thorpe  to  Very  Rev.  J.  Carroll.  Rome  December 
o  iS;  satrto  Rev.  C.  pLden.  October  23,  1789.  The  Vicar-Gen- 
eral  of  the  diocese  of  Blois  also  exposed  him. 

3  ..  The  Resurrection  of  Laurent  Ricci ;  or,  A  True  and  Exact  History 
of  the  JesuiU."    Philadelphia,  1789.  ^    r,  .    • 

.  Very  Rev.  J.  Carroll  to  Rev.  Mr.  Thorpe,  May  8,  1789.  La  Potene 
was^Boston  in  March,  1789,  and  a  notice  of  the  -r-ces  on  a  ch 
2rHhinhisstyleisinCarey-s.-A.nencan^^^^^^^  ^  P-     4.^  ^^ 

srp^irwTJt  r.iarr?7S  re^ 

La  Poterie'8.  published  on  his  first  coming  to  Boston. 


816 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


.-i^" 
IIJ4 


death  by  the  French  Revolutionists.  In  August,  1789,  the 
Rev.  Arnaud  Roux,  Superior  of  the  Convent  of  Charity 
in  Guadeloupe,  died  in  New  London,  after  a  stay  of  six 
weeks.' 

In  the  Carolinas  Catholicity  scarcely  existed  except  aniorijr 
the  exiled  Aeadians,  some  of  whom  lingered  apparently  till 
the  commencement  of  the  Revolution.  Few  English-speak- 
ing Catholics  ventured  there,  and  two  Irish  Catholics,  dis- 
covered  in  Charleston  in  1775,  were  at  once  accused  of  con- 
spiring with  the  negroes  against  the  liberties  of  the  country, 
were  condemned  to  be  tiirred  and  feathered,  then  banialied 
from  the  State.  Prejudice  was  so  strong  that  any  Cath- 
olics in  Carolina  kept  their  faith  so  secret  that  they  were  not 
even  known  to  each  other. 

The  Revolution  modified  some  of  the  prevailing  bigotrv, 
though  the  Protestant  was  made  the  established  religion  of 
the  State.  Catholics  began  to  be  regarded  with  less  horror. 
About  the  year  1786  a  vessel  bound  to  South  America  put 
into  the  port  of  Charleston.  The  Catholics  in  the  city,  who 
now  dared  recogm'ze  each  other,  heard  to  their  joy  that  there 
was  a  priest  on  board.  They  at  once  besought  him  to  say 
mass  for  them,  and  he  accordingly  celebrated  the  holy  sacri- 
fice in  the  house  of  an  Irish  Catholic  before  a  little  congre- 
gation of  about  twelve  persons.' 

In  1788  Dr.  Carroll  sent  to  Charleston  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rvaii, 
a  very  jiious  Irish  i)riest,  who  found  the  Catholics  few,  poor, 
and  timid.  He  succeeded  in  hiring  a  ruinous  building,  which 
had  l)ecn  used  as  a  meeting-house  by  some  Protestant  bodv. 
Here  the  Catholic  religion  was  first  i)ublicly  exercised   in 


'  Letter  of  Rev.  Dr.  T.  .1.  Shahan. 

'  Rt.  Rev.  .1.  England,  "  A  Brief  Account  of  the  Introduction  of  tlic 
Catholic  Hclipon  into  the  StjiteH  of  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  and 
Georgia."  Dublin,  183'.;,  pp.  a,  15. 


THE  CHURCH  IN  CHARLESTON. 


317 


Carolina.  He  served  earnestly  for  two  years,  till  his  health 
failed,  God  blessing  his  labors,  .uid  his  life  being  one  of 
.reat  edification.'  He  had  by  that  time  gathered  a  flock  of 
"bout  two  hundred.  "  Every  day  they  became  more  numer- 
ous Many  whom  past  discouragements  and  oppression  kept 
concealed  "began  to  show  themselves.  Our  religion  has  not 
been  exercised  publicly  there  above  two  years.  The  Catho- 
lies  there  are  mostly  poor.  They  have  no  church  ;  but  di- 
vine service  is  performed  in  a  ruinous  house  which  they 

have  hired." '  ,       i     u     *.  "ti 

The  little  congregation  wished  to  erect  a  church  about  .5 
feet  long  by  50  in  width  at  a  cost  of  |15,00(),  and  riiey  ai> 
pealed  for  aid  to  the  King  of  Spain  through  the  Spanish 
consul,  Don  Jose  Ignacio  Viar. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Ryan  w^is  succeeded  by  Rev.  Mr.  Keating 
iu  1790,  but  that  clergyman,  discouraged  by  difficulties  and 
some  disappointments,  withdrew  at  the  end  of  a  few  mon  hs. 
The  Catholics  in  Charleston  had  at  first  indulged  the  hope 
that  the  French  or  Spanish  government  might  support  a 
chaplain  in  that  city  for  the  benefit  of  their  own  subjec  s, 
but  Dr.  Carroll  wrote :  "  It  will  be  fortunate  to  have  the 
exercise  of  our  religion  introduced  even  by  these  means  ;Jnit 

T^^^Tr^J^  Carroll  Letter  September.  1788.    It  ^^  ^ov.M 

Lngluncl  p..,  culls  huiUKeuy,  ,  ^^^^^^  ^^^^^.^^^ 

enrol  nil."  C'linrleston,  1809,  u.,  p.  *)(,  aiiuuLa  Carroll 

Hpv  Mr  Ilvan  arrived  in  Philadelphia  August  1,  1788.  Dr.  Carrou 
ot;ed  hi.  .  po  ition  in  one  of  the  western  eouuties  of  Pcnnsylvama 
"^       .      Ly  colony  of  Irish  Catholics  are  soliciting  a  priest  and  offer 

xvlun  amrj,tio.     jr  preferred  Charleston. -Very  Rev.  . I. 

him  a  mamtenauee.       Itev.  Mr.  K.  preicrr  Cardinal   Moran, 

Carroll   to   Most  Rev.  Dr.  Troy.  August  11,  1<88.     Cardinal 
"Snicil.  Ossor.,"  iii.,  p.  SO-'"'-  ^      ., 

;  Ut  Rev  .1.  Carroll  to  Dr.  .Tos6  Ignacio  Viar.  April  20. 1700.    Smyth. 
•«  Present  Slate,"  alludes  to  Mr.  Ryan's  appointment. 

3  Draft  of  a  letter  of  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll. 


4  .-M 


rrfi 
k 


818  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

I  cannot  help  expressiDg  a  wiHh  that  your  clergy  may  bo  en 
tirely  independent  of  and  unconnected  with  any  forei^, 
prince." '  -^  fc'' 

In  North  Carolina,  a  Mrs.  Gaston,  widow  of  a  victim  of 
British  cruelty  during  the  war,  rctiiined  her  fa'-fh  and  e.h. 
cated  her  son  in  the  faith  of  her  ancestora.  About  1784  she 
was  consoled  by  the  arrival  of  the  Rev.  Patrick  Cleary  canon 
of  the  church  at  Funchal,  Madeira,  who  came  to  New' Heme 
to  obtjiin  property  to  which  he  was  entiti  d  as  heir  of  iiis 
brother.  Mrs.  Gaston  fitted  up  a  room  i„  her  lu.use  as  i 
chapel,  where  Canon  Cleary  said  mass  f(,r  her  family  and  i 
few  (,\,thoIicfi  in  the  i)lace,  among  them  John  Bevereu.x  who 
afterward  wttled  at  Kaleigh.  ' 

Canon  Cleary  did  not  intend  to  remain  in  tlie  country  but 
he  was  detained  by  the  law's  delays,  and  died  at  N  ;•  Uerne  in 
1 790. 

There  were  a  few  French  Catholics  about  this  time  at 
AVashmgton,  North  Carolina,  but  they  soon  died  or  with- 
drew, Walter  Ilanrahan  remaining  as  the  Catholic  pioneer' 

While  religion  was  thus  spreading  to  districts  from  which 
It  had  been  excluded  in  colonial  days,  difficulties  w.--e  arising 
within  the  Church. 

In  the  action  of  Rev.  Mr.  Smyth,  as  well  as  of  the  far  less 
worthy  priests,  De  la  Poterie  and  Nugent,  there  were  indica- 
tmns  of  coming  divisions  among  the  hitherto  harmonious 
lK)dy  of  the  Catholics  in  the  Unite.1  States.  A  spirit  of  antag- 
^— "Jl'l!''''  ^^^^^  "^  "''^'•g^^  as  formeriy  members  of  the 

'  Rt.  Rev  .1.  rarroll  to  the  Grntlemcn  „f  Clmrleston.     The  >.pplication 
o  the  Spamsb  (•<•..«  wa.s  resu„,e.l  after  his  eonsc-eration.    rJ     ev  J 
Carroll  to  Don  Diego  (ie  Gardcxiui.  June  25,  1791. 

t,J  Hfl",'«r  "l  "r  ^V'"'™.?'""^''-  "  ^'^-  f^''"'""^  MiHoellanv,"  ii.. 

pp.  146  Ifl-  LnKhuHl.  "AHrief  Aeeount  of  the  Introduction  of  the.  Cath- 

wlrk?- '"•'""'  ;':^'^^*-'^«^  ^"^'^^  Carolina." etc..  Dublin.  1832.  p.  23; 


1'        r 


THE  FIRST  NATIONAL  CHURCH. 


319 


;  n 


Society  of  Jesus,  or  trained  by  Religious  of  that  order,  was 
iictively  spread,  and  some  of  the  newly-arrived  priests  denied 
that  members  of  the  suppressed  order  could  validly  otliciate. 
At  the  same  tiine  national  prejudices  were  apjHjaled  to,  and 
it  was  claimed  that  those  of  each  country  ought  to  have 
churches  and  priests  of  their  own,  selected  by  themselves, 
and  not  join  in  worship  with  other  Catholics. 

The  first  overt  manifestation  of  this  feeling  appeared  in 
Philadelphia.  Some  of  the  German  residents  of  that  city 
had  solicited  the  ap^K)intment  of  Rev.  John  Charles  llelbron, 
a  Capuchin,  to  the  position  which  Dr.  Carroll  felt  bound  to 
give  to  Rev.  Lawrence  Graessel.  The  malcontents  then  ex- 
cited a  part  of  the  German  Catholics  to  withdraw  from  St. 
Mary's  Church  and  to  erect  a  new  church  exclusively  for 
Germans ;  and  as  the  congregation  of  St.  Mary's  Church  had 
taken  steps  to  obtain  from  the  legislature  of  Pennsylvania  an 
Act  of  Incorporation,  the  seceders  began  an  active  agitation 
to  prevent  its  past:age. 

When  they  wrote  to  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  to  obtain  his  panc- 
tion  for  the  erection  of  a  new  church,  he  replied  that  while 
he  would  gladly  encourage  any  attempt  to  increase  the  num- 
ber of  churches,  he  could  not  judge  how  prudent  their  project 
might  be  till  he  knew  their  ability  to  erect  a  church  and 
maintain  a  pastor.  lie  added  :  "  I  hope  there  is  no  danger 
of  causing  such  a  separation  amongst  Roman  Catholics,  as 
will  prevent  divine  service  from  l)eing  performed  with  the 
same  concourse  and  general  approbation  as  at  present." 

In  conclusion  he  urged  them  to  be  guided  by  the  advice 
of  the  venerable  Mr.  Pellentz  ;  and  expressly  required  a  dis- 
avowal of  any  attempt  to  set  up  pastors  without  the  concur- 
rence of  the  Ecclesiastical  superior.'     As  he  subsequently 

'  Very  Rev.  Jolm  Carroll  to  Oerman  Catholics  of  Philadelphia,  March 
8,  1788. 


it  ■  j.^ 


11 

II'  ■' 
W. 


f «  ' ' 


890 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


wrote  when  rebuking?  tlio  hostilo  spirit  they  evinced  to  the 
cK-rj^y  and  people  of  St.  xMiiry'ri  Church  :  "  Thus  were  divi- 
BioHH  Htirred  up,  at  the  very  time,  that  aHHurances  were  sent  to 
me,  of  the  most  perfect  di8jM)8ition8  to  cultivate  ])eace,  uiid 
that  in  couHecjuence  of  thcHc  iissuranceH  I  had  given  my  coii- 
(h'tional  assent  to  your  propowid  of  huildinj?,  more  indeed  for 
the  preservation  of  charity,  and  in  the  h(.|)e  of  its  Ijeinj,'  here- 
after conducive  to  the  interests  of  religion,  than  fronv  any 
conviction  of  its  being  necessjiry  at  this  time."  ' 

Though,  as  Dr.  Carroll  reminded  tliem,  "  a  very  consider- 
able and  respectable  part  of  the  German  congregation  d(»us 
not  unite  with  you  in  the  new  building  and  separation  from 
the  old  congregation,  eonsifitiiig  of  all  nations,"  they  j)er- 
sistod.  Although  Dr.  Carroll  called  their  attention  to  the 
want  of  a  church  in  the  northern  part  of  the  tity,  land  near 
the  older  churches  was  purchased  of  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council  of  Pennsylvania  by  Mr.  Adam  Premir,  on  the  2lHt 
of  Febniary,  ITSH,  the  plot  having  a  front  of  sixty-eight  feet 
ten  inches  on  Sixth  Street,  and  running  back  one  hundred 
and  ninety-eight  feet  on  Spruce  Street.  Here  the  cortier- 
stone  was  blessed  without  any  notification  to  the  Prefect- 
Apostolic. 

Such  was  the  origin  of  the  first  exclusively  national  church 
organized  in  this  country.  It  took  the  name  of  the  Church 
of  the  Holy  Trinity,  and  was  ojwned  on  the  20th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1789.' 

Both  churches  then  obtained  acts  of  incorporation— St. 
Mary's  on  the  l.'Uh  of  Septemlwr,  1788,  as  "  The  Trustees  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  Society  worshiping  at  the  CJhurch  of  St. 


'  Verj-  Rrv.  .lohn  f 'arroll  to  German  Catholics  of  Philadelphia,  Whito- 
mnrsh,  March  31.  1788. 

»  Samp  to  same.  FJaltimorc,  June  15,  1788;  Westcott.  "A  History  of 
I'liiladilphia,"  ch.  306. 


JIKV.  JOSEPH  MOSLEY'S  Dl'^H. 


821 


Miiry'H  in  thoCityof  Philadelpliia,"  witli  llev.  Uol)ert  Moly- 
ueux,  Rev.  FranciH  BwHton,  and  liev.  loiwreiure  (iraesHcl  m 
jmHtorrt, aii«l(n'orgt'  Mt-a-le, Tlionius KItZHimoiiH,  JaiiieH  HyrnoH, 
Paul  Esliiij;,  .lolin  Cottriii4«r,  James  Eck,  Murk  Wilcox,  and 
.lohit  Carroll  an  lay  tniHteert.  And  on  the  4tli  of  October 
were  incorporated  "The  TrusteeB  of  the  German  Religious 
(Society  of  Roman  CatholicH,  called  the  Church  of  the  Holy 
Trinity  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,"  the  trusteert  being  "the 
paHtor  for  the  time  being,  (ireorge  ErncHt  Lechlcr,  Sr.,  James 
OellerH,  Cliristopher  Shorty,  Henry  Home,  Adam  Premir, 
Anthony  Hookey,  Jacob  Threin,  and  Charles  P)auman."  ' 

During  the  Hummer  of  1787  another  of  the  veteran  prieets 
of  Maryland,  whose  name  has  frec^ucntly  been  given,  ended 

his  days. 

Rev.  Joseph  ^fosley  was  an  excellent  and  devoted  jiricst, 
entirely  given  np  to  his  missionary  duties,  but  extremely 
timid.  In  the  oath  of  allegiance,  which  his  brethren  took, 
he  found  ditKcnlties  which  caused  him  to  shrink  back.  In 
the  appointment  of  a  bishop  ho  at  first  saw  untold  dangers. 
On  the  L>ttth  of  July,  1786,  he  wrote  to  a  relative  in  England  : 
"  Pve  been  these  10  months  several  times  at  death's  door  with 
biliotis  fevers  and  frequent  returns  of  the  gravel.  I  seem  to 
be  at  present  upon  the  recovery,  thro'  God's  blessing,  for  I 
know  not  what  will  become  of  my  little  Hock,  if  I  shoiild  be 
taken  from  them.  It  is  a  mission  1  begin-,  al)out  22  years 
ago,  where  no  priest  ha<l  ever  settled,  I  found  a  few  when  I 
settled  here,  but  thank  God  aiid  his  divine  as.sistanee  we  can 
now  count  between  aOO  and  6U0  communicants.  The  present 
incumbents  are  growing  very  old  and  intinn,  and  few  come 
to  supply  our  i)laces.     I've  wrote  several  times  to  Mr.  Strick- 


•  Wc'stcott,  I'll.  36r.-6.     Dr.  Carroll  discussed  the  whole  question  as  to 
the  uiovemtiit  leading  to  the  building  of  this  church  in  a  letter  to  Rev. 
Mr.  Beeston.  March  22.  1788. 
14* 


■t'.f<REHi 


'ii 


322 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


land  at  Liege,  to  take  pity  of  us  and  send  ue  fresh  supplies. 
I  am  yet  all  alone  and  have  but  one  other  of  my  call  on  the 
Eastern  shore  of  Maryland,  and  he  lives  50  miles  from  me. 
We  see  one  another  perhaps  once  a  year.  You  may  pity  my 
situation,  I  pity  that  of  my  poor  flock,  and  not  my  own,  I 
wish  I  was  younger  and  healthier  to  serve  them  as  I  wou'd. 
My  chapel  or  church  is  finished  inside  and  out,  as  also  my 
house.  You've  had  the  dimensions  of  both.  It  is  full  every 
Sunday  that  we  keep  Church  or  Prayers  at  Home."  He 
begged  for  books,  Challoner's  Caveat  against  the  Methodists, 
as  that  sect  abounded  in  his  district ;  Pastorini's  History  of 
the  Church,  and  a  life  of  "  Benedict  Joseph,  a  poor  Man  who 
lately  died  at  Rome  in  a  great  odour  of  sanctity.  His  mira- 
cles in  that  city  have  been  so  well  attested  that  it  has  much 
confuted  the  opinion  of  many,  who  maintain  that  miracles 
have  ceased  in  the  church." 

His  recovery  was  only  temporary ;  he  sank  again  and  died 
piously  at  the  church  he  had  founded,  June  3,  1787,  at  the 
age  of  66.' 

The  veteran  missionary.  Rev.  John  Lewis,  who  had  been  the 
last  Superior  of  the  mission  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  in  Mary- 
land and  Pennsylvania,  did  not  lorg  survive  Rev.  Mr.  Mos- 
ley,  at  whose  funeral  he  officiated.  K  the  ho^>e  of  seeing  the 
Society  of  Jesus  restored  was  beginning  to  grow  less,  he  was 
gratified  at  least  by  seeing  his  brethren  still  united  in  the 
bonds  of  harmony,  a  body  of  zealous  priests,  soon  to  behold 
one  of  their  number  invested  with  the  episcopal  dignity.' 

In  Rev.  John  Lewis  closed  the  line  of  Sujjeriors  of  the 


'  Letters.  Foley,  "  Records  of  tlie  English  Province,"  vii.,  p.  580.  In 
an  Ordo  belonging  to  this  laborious  priest,  Father  John  Lewis  ninde 
this  entry  :  "  5  June,  1787.  Buried  Jenny  Parks  at  8t.  Joseph's.  Eodcm 
die  R.  Jos.  Mosley  in  y'  chapel.    R.  I.  Pace.    J.  Lewis. " 

•Foley,  "  Records  of  the  English  Province,"  vii.,  p.  459. 


NEW  YORK  TROUBLES. 


323 


original  Maryland  mission.     He  was  a  native  of  Northamp- 
tonshire, born  September  19, 1721,  and  after  passing  through 
his  literary  course  at  St.  Omer,  entered  the  Society  at  Wat- 
ten  in  1740,  on  the  eve  of  the  Nativity  of  the  Blessed  Virgin, 
the  favorite  day  in  the  province  for  the  admission  of  new- 
members.    He  came  to  Maryland  in  1758  and  succeeded  the 
venerable  Father  Hunter  as  Superior  of  the  mission.    It  was 
his  melancholy  duty  to  receive  from  Bishop  Challoner  the 
document  requiring  him  to  exact  from  his  community  adhe- 
sion to  the  will  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff,  expressed  in  his 
brief.     Rev.  Mr.  Lewis  had  been  and  continued  to  be  Vicar- 
General  of  the  Vicar-Apostolic  of  London,  till  the  death  of 
Bishop  Challoner  in  January,  1781.     Bishop  Talbot  appar- 
ently took  no  steps  to  renew  the  appointment,  so  that  Rev. 
Mr.  Lewis  acted  temporarily  till  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  wa    ap- 
pointed Prefect-Apostolic,  when  he  resigned  all  manner  of 
authority  to  him.     He  died  at  Bohemia  early  in  1788.' 

In  October,  1787,  the  Very  Rev.  Prefect  found  that  bis 
presence  was  needed  in  New  York.  The  Trustees  had 
learned  none  too  soon  that  their  action  in  regard  to  Rev. 
Charles  Whelan  had  deprived  the  congregation  of  a  worthy 
priest  and  left  it  to  the  mercy  of  a  wolf  in  sheep's  clothing. 
They  now  besought  the  Very  Rev.  Prefect  to  deliver  them 
from  the  very  priest  whom  they  had  forced  upon  him.  They 
presented  such  serious  charges  against  the  Rev.  Father  An- 
drew Nugent,  that  Dr.  Carroll,  informed  from  Dublin  of  his 
previous  suspension  there,  withdrew  the  faculties  which  he 
had  cautiously  granted  him  only  during  his  own  pleasure. 
He  appointed  as  pastor  of  St.  Peter's  congregation.  New 
York,  a  worthy  Dominican,  the  Rev.  William  O'Brien,  who 


'  May  34, 1788,  at.  67 ;  Foley,  March  34,  Woodstock  Letters,  xv.,  p. 


PHI 


An 


824 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Lad  already  done  parochial  work  in  Philadelphia  and  Kew 
Jersey,  and  was  highly  coniniended  by  the  Archbishop  o.' 
Dublin,  in  whose  diocese  he  had  labored  worthily  for  sixteen 
years.  Nugent  refused  to  withdraw.  The  Rev.  Br.  Carroll 
accordingly  proceeded  to  New  York,  and  was  about  to  begin 
mass  on  Sunday  before  the  large  congregation  assembled  in 
St.  Peter's  Church,  when  Rev.  Mr.  Nugent  asserted  his  right 
to  say  the  parochial  mass,  and  declared  that  he  would  not 
yield  it,  unless  Dr.  Carroll  promised  to  make  no  allusion  to 
him  in  his  address  to  the  people.  To  this  Dr.  Carroll  would 
not  assent,  stating  that  the  people  should  be  informed  of 
whom  they  should  l)eware,  and  to  whom  they  should  resort 
for  spiritual  aid.  Nugent  then  began  a  violent  tirade,  which 
produced  the  greatest  uproar  and  confusion. 

But  the  Very  Rev.  Prefect  was  not  to  be  overawed  :  he 
announced  to  the  people  that  Rev.  Mr.  Nugent,  to  whom  he 
had  never  granted  but  temporary  faculties,  was  suspended 
from  every  exercise  of  the  ministry,  and  he  cautioned  the 
congregiition  against  attending  any  mass  that  the  wretched 
priest  might  attempt  to  say. 

Dr.  Carroll  then  retired,  followed  by  the  greater  part  of 
the  congregation,  and  said  mass  in  the  private  chai)el  of  Don 
Diego  de  Gardoqui,  the  Spanish  minister.'  Father  Nugent 
actually  said  mass  in  St.  Peter's  Church,  and  the  few  blind 
partisans  who  adhered  to  him  declared  that  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll 
had  no  power  to  suspend  their  favorite.  It  was  the  first  oc- 
casion in  the  history  of  the  Church  in  this  country  where  the 
laity,  in  their  ignorance  of  the  constitution  of  the  Church, 
supported  a  ]>riest  in  resisting  lawful  authority. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll,  to  disabuse  these  misguided  men, 


'  Diego  dc  (Jardoqui  to  Conde  de  Floridablanca,  New  York  Julv  "5 

1788.  '        •'  "  ' 


NEW  YORK  TROUBLES. 


325 


published  an  address  on  the  subject,  which  was  signed  by  the 
principal  Catholics  of  New  York.     The  Trustees  put  a  new 
lock  on  the  door  of  the  church  to  prevent  Nugent  and  his 
partisans  from  entering,  it  being  arranged  that  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Carroll  should,  on  the  ensuing  Sunday,  instruct  the  people 
on  the  nature  and  source  of  spiritual  authority.     But  the  ad- 
herents of  the  fallen  priest  broke  opon  the  door  and  filled 
the  church  with  a  rabble  from  the  streets.     When  the  Very 
Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  attempted  to  address  the  people,  such  a 
tumult  was  raised  that  he  could  not  proceed.     The  Trustees 
wished  to  clear  the  church  of  intruders,  but  the  prudent 
Prefect-Apostolic  counselled   forbearance.     He  again  pro- 
ceeded to  the  Spanish  embassy,  followed  by  all  CathoUcs 
who  really  attended  to  their  religious  duties. 

As  things  were  in  such  a  condition  that  nothing  could  be 
effected  by  ecclesiastical  power.  Dr.  Carroll  left  New  York 
in  November,  after  having  remained  there  nearly  two  months, 
and  the  Trustees  resolved  to  resort  to  legal   proceedings. 
Fortunately  the  law,  in  treating  of  the  administration  of 
ecclesiastical  property,  provided  that  it  was  by  no  means 
intended  to  affect  in  any  way  the  rights  of  conscience,  or  of 
private  judgment,  or  to  make  any  change  whatsoever  in  the 
religious  constitution  or  government  of  any  church,  congre- 
gation, or  society,  in  so  far  as  it  related  to  their  doctrine, 
discipline,  and  worship.     Nugent  was  not  only  a  violator  of 
Catholic  discipline,  but  an  opponent  of  Catholic  doctrine,  as 
he  denied  that  he  owed  allegiance  to  any  one  but  Christ  and 
the  authorities  of  New  York.    In  a  sermon  of  his  on  charity, 
he  declaiined  against  those  who  would  punish  others  on  ac- 
count of  religion,  and  cited  some  of  the  stale  calumnies 
against  the  Catholic  Church  as  facts.     It  was  very  desirable 
that  this  rebellion  against  ecclesiastical  authority  should  be 
suppressed  even  by  the  civil  law,  lest  Catholics  should  be  en- 


,:tt 


m 


p     In  Ml, I,! 


lit 


If 


826 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


couraged  bj  designing  men  to  assume  the  right  of  appointing 
their  own  pastors,' 

The  action  of  the  Trustees  soon  relieved  the  churcii  of  the 
unworthy  priest,  who  was  convicted,  but  after  he  was  com- 
pelled to  leave  St.  Peter's  Church,  he  hired  a  house,  and 
sacrilegiously  said  mass  there  for  his  adherents. 

When  the  Very  Rev.  Prefect  laid  the  whole  matter  before 
the  Body  of  the  Clergy,  the  old  opposition  to  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  Bishop  was  abandoned.  It  was  generally  conceded 
that  one  should  be  solicited,  if  the  erection  of  a  see  was 
agreeable  to  the  Sovereign  Pontiff.  The  Episcopalians  had 
organized  with  bishops  and  were  gaining  strength,  and  vio- 
lent as  had  once  been  the  protests  against  such  dignitaries, 
their  actual  presence  gave  no  offense. 

While  it  was  admitted  that  the  appointment  of  a  Bishop 
was  needed  to  control  refractory  priests.  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll 
still  felt  that  it  was  a  delicate  subject,  and  proposed  that  a 
plan  of  appointment  should  be  adopted  that  would  maintain 
intact  union  with  the  Apostolic  See  and  all  due  obedience, 
and  at  the  same  time  free  tlie  bishop  from  all  suspicion  of 
any  foreign  subjection  not  absolutely  necessary.' 

The  following  petition  was  accordingly  prepared  by  a  com- 
mittee appointed  for  the  purpose,  consisting  of  the  Very 
Rev.  John  Carroll,  Rev.  Robert  Molyneux,  and  iiev.  John 
Ash  ton. 

"  Most  Holy  Father  : 

"  We,  the  undersigned,  petitioners  approaching  the  Apos- 
tolic See,  with  all  due  veneration,  and  prostrate  at  the  feet 
of  your  Holiness,  humbly  oet  forth  the  following ;  That  we 

'  Very  Rev.  John  Carroll  to  Cardinal  Antonelli,  March  18,  1788.    Ar- 
chives of  the  Propaganda. 

•  Vcrj'  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  to  Cardinal  Antonelli,  March  18,  178& 


PETITION  FOR  A  BISHOP. 


327 


are  priests  who  have  been  specially  deputed  by  our  fellow- 
priests,  exercising  with  us  the  religious  ininiHtry  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  in  order  that  we  may,  in  the  first  place, 
return  unbounded  thanks  to  your  Holiness  for  the  truly  pa- 
ternal care,  which  you  have  deigned  to  extend  to  this  remote 
part  of  the  Lord's  vineyard  :  and  in  the  next  place,  to  mani- 
fest that  we  all,  had  been  stimulated  by  this  great  care,  to 
continue  and  increase  our  labors  to  preserve  and  extend  the 
faith  of  Christ  our  Lord,  in  these  States,  which  are  filled 
with  the  errors  of  all  the  sects.    In  doing  so,  we  are  con- 
vinced, that  we  not  only  render  meet  service  to  God,  but 
also  render  a  pleasing  and  acceptable  homage  to  the  common 
Father  of  the  faithful.    Moreover  to  correspond  to  this  great 
solicitude,  we  believe  it  our  duty  to  expose  to  your  Holiness, 
whatever  from  our  long  experience  in  these  States,  seems 
necessary  to  be  known,  in  order  that  your  pa*>toral  provi- 
dence may  be  most  usefully  administered  in  our  regard. 

"  Therefore  inasmuch  as  his  Eminence  Cardinal  Antonelli 
intimated  to  one  of  your  petitioners,  in  a  letter  dated  July 
23  1785,  that  it  was  the  design  of  the  Sacred  Congregation 
de'  Propaganda  Fide  to  appoint  a  Bishop,  Vicar-Apostolic 
for  these  States  as  soon  as  possible,  whenever  the  said  Sacred 
Congregation  understood  that  this  would  be  seasonable,  and 
desired  to  be  informed  as  to  the  suitable  time  for  that  appoint- 
ment, by  the  priest  to  whom  the  said  letter  was  addressed, 
we  declare,  not  he  only  but  we  in  the  common  name  of  all 
the  priests  laboring  here,  Most  Holy  Father,  that  in  our 
opinion  the  time  has  now  come  when  the  Episcopal  dignity 
and  authority  are  very  greatly  desired.     To  omit  other  very 
grave  reasons,  we  experience  more  and  more  in  the  constitu- 
tion of  this  very  free  republic,  that  if  there  are  even  among 
the  ministers  of  the  sanctuary,  any  men  of  indocile  mind, 
and  chafing  under  ecclesiastical  discipline,  they  allege  as  an 


</'; 


i  :,'■ 


•  ,  •., 


828 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


excuse  for  tbeir  license  and  disobedience,  that  tliej  are  bound 
to  obey  bisliops  exercising  tiieir  own  authority  and  not  a  nioiv 
priest  exercising  any  vicarious  jurisdiction.     This  was  the 
boast  of  tlie  men  who  recently  at  New  York  sought  to  throw 
oflf  the  yoke  of  authority,  and  alleged  this  pretext,  which 
seemed  most  likely  to  catch  the  favor  of  Protestants,  in  that 
more  than  in  any  other  State,  contending  forsooth  that  the 
authority  of  the  ecclesiastical  superior  whom  the  Sacred  Con- 
gregation has  ajjpointed  for  us,  was  forbidden  by  law,  be- 
cause it  not  only  emanates  from  a  foreign  tribunal,  but  is 
also  dependent  on  it  for  its  duration  and   exercise.     We 
refrain  from  setting  out  all  this  more  at  length  to  your  Holi- 
ness, inasmuch  as  we  have  learned  that  certain  original  docu- 
ments have  been  tra.isn.itted  to  lionie,  fro.n  which  it  can  be 
more  clearly  seen,  with  what  powers  the  person  should  be 
invested,  to  whom  the  ecclesiastical  government  of  these 
States  is  confided. 

"  With  this  view,  we  represent  to  the  Supreme  Pastor  of 
the  faithful  on  earth,  that  all  the  grounds  on  which  the  au- 
thority of  the  Superior  as  now  constituted  may  be  rendered 
odious,  will  have  equal  weight  against  a  bishop  to  whom  the 
powers  of  a  vicar,  and  not  of  an  ordinary,  are  granted. 

"Therefore,  xMost  Holy  Father,  we  express  in  the  name 
and  by  the  wish  of  all,  our  opinion  that  the  political  and 
religious  condition  of  these  Stiites  requires  that  form  of 
ecclesiastical  government,  by  which  provision  may  be  most 
efficaciously  made  in  the  first  place  for  the  integritv  of  faith 
and  morals,  and  consecjuently  for  perpetual  union  with  the 
Apostolic  See,  and  due  respect  and  obedience  towards  the 
sa.ne,  an.l  in  the  next  place,  that  if  any  bishop  is  assigned  to 
us,  his  appointment  and  authority  may  be  rendered  as 
free  as  possible  from  suspicion  and  odium  to  those  among 
whom  we  live.     Two  iK>ints,  it  seems  to  us,  will  contribute 


PETITION  FOR  A  BISHOP. 


329 


greatly  to  tbis  end  ;  first,  that  the  Most  Holy  Father,  by  his 
authority  in  the  Church  of  Christ,  erect  a  new  episcopal  see 
ill  these  United  States,  immediately  subject  to  the  Holy  See; 
in  the  next  place,  that  the  election  of  the  bishop,  at  least  for 
the  first  time,  be  permitted  to  the  priests,  who  now  duly  ex- 
ercise the  religious  ministry  here  and  have  the  cure  of  souls. 
This  being  established,  your  most  vigilant  wisdom,  Most 
Holy  Father,  after  hearing  the  opinions  of  our  priests  of 
approved  life  and  experience,  and  considering  the  character 
of  our  government,  will  adopt  some  course,  by  which  future 
elections  may  be  permanently  conducted. 

"  These  are,  Most  Holy  Father,  what  we  have  deemed  it 
])roper  to  submit  with  the  utmost  devotion  of  our  hearts  'to 
your  Holiness'  pastoral  care,  declaring,  as  though  we  were 
about  to  give  an  account  of  our  sentiments  to  Jesus  Christ, 
the  divine  bishop  of  souls,  that  we  have  nothing  in  view, 
except  the  increase  of  our  holy  Faith,  growth  of  piety,  vigor 
(if  ecclesiastical  discipline,  and  the  complete  refutation  of 
false  oi)inions  in  regard  to  the  Catholic  religion,  which  have 
imbued  the  minds  of  Protestants. 

"  May  Almighty  God  long  preserve  you.  Most  Holy  Father, 
to  Christian  people,  that  you  not  only  benignly  foster  this 
American  church,  as  you  have  already  done,  but  also  guard 
it  with  all  spiritual  protection,  and  establish  it  thoroughly, 
and  finally  that  you  will  vouchsafe  to  bestow  on  us  prostrate 
at  your  feet  your  Apostolical  and  fatherly  blessing. 

"  This  is  the  prayer  of 

"  Your  Holiness's 
"  Most  devoted  ajid  obedient 

Servants  and  Sons, 

"  John  Cakroix, 

"  KOBKKT    MoLVNEUX, 

"  John  Ashton." 


'4 


.  1 


\  '   !' 


r 

^^^H 

)i 

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i^UHHI 

i.  i^^H 

^.  •jl^^^^H 

1 

1  ^^^1 

"'  i^^l 

f  BgK^^M 

^^^^1 

?j^^^^^H 

A;  jw^^^^^H 

1 

'  ^^^^^^1 

;. 

JH'^^^^I 

il.i 

H^H 

ra,.  rf 


880 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


6.    !• 

ikt'i'. 


Tlie  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  must  have  been  led  to  believe 
that  the  Sovereign  Pontiflf  proposed  to  invest  him  with  the 
dignity  of  Vicar- Apostolic  ;  but  conscious  that  several  of  his 
brethren  regarded  the  appointment  of  a  bishop  unnecessary, 
he  had,  with  great  prudence  and  magnanimity,  kept  the  mat- 
ter in  abeyance  till  all  felt  that  the  Church  must  absolutely 
have  a  bishop  to  rule  it.  In  the  same  cpirit  he  now  sought 
for  his  brethren  the  full  opportunity  of  manifesting  to  the 
Holy  See  their  wish  as  to  the  erection  of  a  diocese,  the  place 
for  a  see,  and  the  j^erson  to  be  appointed  to  occupy  it. 

Xo  one  was  more  cognizant  than  himself  of  the  increasin"' 
difficulties  and  trials  which  would  be  the  lot  of  the  future 
bishop,  and  he  had  no  ambition  to  assume  a  position  in 
which,  without  resources  of  any  kind,  he  would  be  called 
upon  to  supply  priests,  aid  in  erecting  churches,  establishing 
echools,  and  providing  for  the  spiritual  wants  of  a  rapidly- 
increasing  flock,  scattered  over  a  country  thousands  of  miles 
in  extent. 

Tlie  Spanish  minister  resident  in  the  United  States  had 
manifested  an  intelligent  and  friendly  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  the  Church  here,  and  the  impression  made  by  the  French 
intrigue  was  still  fresh  in  men's  minds.  The  petition  of  the 
American  clergy  was  consequently  forwarded  through  the 
Spanish  envoy  to  the  United  States,  Don  Diego  de  Gardoqui, 
to  whom  Dr.  Carroll  wrote  : 

"  Your  Excellency  will  be  pleased  to  recollect  a  conver- 
sation  with  which  I  was  honored  during  my  residence  in 
New  York.  It  related  to  the  expediency,  and  indeed  the 
necessity,  of  introducing  episcopal  government  into  tlie 
United  States,  as  no  other  would  carry  sufficient  weight  to 
restrain  the  turbulent  clergymen  whom  views  of  independ- 
ence would  probably  conduct  into  this  country.  This  opin- 
ion appeared  to  be  strongly  impressed  on  your  Excellency, 


D)b-  DIEGO  DE  GARDOQUI. 


881 


,„d  18  the  natural  result  of  your  thorough  penetration  into 
'the  nature  and  necessary  effects  of  our  republican  govern- 
ments    You  noticed  at  the  same  time  their  great  opposition 
to  foreign  jurisdiction,  and  the  prejudices  which  would  cer- 
t,inly  arise  against  our  religion  if  the  appointment  of  the 
i'.ishop  were  to  rest  in  a  distant  congregation  of  Cardinals ; 
aud  if  he  were  to  act  only  as  their  vicar  removable  at  their 
pleasure-   for  which  reasons  you  thought  that  the  bishop 
should  be  chosen  by  the  American  clergy,  approved  by  the 
llolv  See  for  the  preservation  of  unity  in  faith,  and  ordained 
to  some  title  or  see  to  be  erected  within  these  States,  with 
the  ordinary  powers  annexed  to  the  episcopal   character. 
You  even  were  so  obliging  as  to  offer  to  support  with  your 
recommendation  a  petition  addressed  to  his  Holiness  for  this 
purpose,  and  to  transmit  it  to  the  Court  of  Floridablanca, 
with  a  request  to  his  Excellency  to  have  it  presented  with 
the  great  additional  interest  of  his  recommendation.    In  con- 
sequence of  this  generons  offer,  your  Excellency  win  receive 
from  one  of  my  Brethren,  at  Philadelphia,  the  Kev.  Mr 
Beeston,  the  original  petition  to  be  sent  to  his  Holiness,  and 
which,  I  doubt  not,  you  will  be  so  kind  as  to  forward  in  the 
manner  which  you  were  pleased  to  mention.    I  am  so  much 
concerned  to  preserve  the  favorable  regard,  with  which  you 
have  hitherto  honored  me,  that  I  must  request  you  not  to 
impute  the  petition  to  views  of  ambition.     Such  a  pasmon 
will  be  poorly  gratified  by  such  a  bishoprick  as  ours  will  be  : 
labor  and  solicitude  it  will  yield  in  plenty,  and  I  trust  those 
heavy  burdens  will  never  fall  on  my  shoulders."  ' 

Senor  Gardoqui  transmitted  the  petition  to  the  Count  de 
Floridablanca,  alluding  to  the  necessity  of  a  Bishop  in  the 


.  Very  Rev.  John  Carroll  to  Don  Diego  ^^  ^f  doqui.-Archivo  Gen- 
eral  Central  "  Sobre  la  ereccion  de  un  Obispado."  Legajo  3895.  an.  1788. 


1  ;'i 


'fM^-^ 


.'j:j2 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


I" 


Umted  St.itt.8  to  chock  such  ,non  as  Nugent,  and  dcscrihi,,. 
the  Very  Kev.  Mr.  Carroll  as  "a  person  of  virtue,  learnin.r 
find  the  hi^rjuvst  connections  and  interests  in  this  country' 
whom  we  f,'enerall_y  regard  as  our  hishop,"  '  ' ' 

The  I'rJM.e  Minister  of  Spain  tranmintted  the  petition  to 
Don  Nicolas  de  Azara,  the  minister  at  tlie  Pontifical  (\,nrt 
in  Septeml)er,  and  on  presenting  it  to  the  Prefect  of  the 
Pro[)aganda,  the  Spanish  envoj.  ascertained  that  the  Jloiy 
See  was  rea.ly  to  create  an  episcopal  see  in  the  United  Stiites 
a..<l  ha<l  waited  only  till  certain  difficulties  were  ron.oved' 
11.0  interest  shown  by  the  Court  of  his  Catholic  Majesty  no 
doubt  facd.tated  the  erection  of  the  See  of  Baltimore 

The  detenth.n  of  the  Very  Kev.  Prefect  in  New  York 
ONV.ng  to  the  troubles  there,  compelled  him  to  leave  some 
c-ongregatmns  nnvisited  and  unsettled.  These  hi  the  sprin-^ 
renewed  their  call  f..r  his  presence,  while  New  York,  stru.^ 
^\n^g  to  con.pI..te  the  church,  w.is  left  for  son.e  ti.ne  without 
Its  pastor,  as  the  Rev.  William  O'Brien,  fortified  by  letters 
from  Dr.  C^utoII  and  Senor  Ganh,qui,  and  reiving  on  the 
friendsh.p  of  Archbishop  Haro,  of  Mexico,  who  had  been  his 
fdlow-studont  at  Ron.e,  had  set  out  for  Spanish  America  to 
collect  funds  for  St.  looter  s  Church.' 

The  Holy  See  acted  promptly  on  the  petition  of  the  clergy 
wlm-h  showed  their  ac<iuiescence  in  the  original  plan  fornrc.l 
at  liome.  Permission  was  given  to  the  priests  actnallv  on 
the  n.iss.on  In  America  to  fix  the  place  most  suitable  for  an 
episcopal  see,  and  for  this  case  only  to  name  the  candidate 
for  the  new  bislK.prif, 


cLT'T  '}■'■  "■"■'!:•'"''  ^°  ^'*'"^<'  '^'^  Floridablanca.  .July  2.-5,  1788  with 
18.'  S  "'"''■  '^'  *  """"  '"  ^"'""""'''^  °^  C^^'^'ics  at  New  York.  April 


J,.i  :** 


POPE  PIUS  VI.  CONSENTS. 

Writing  t..  his  friend,  Rev.  Cluirles  Plc.w.len,  Dr.  Carroll 
Haid :  "  Conunnnicatii»g  freely  with  you  as  1  do,  you  would 
not  forgive  me,  were  I  to  omit  informing  you,  that  a  grant 
had  heen  made  to  allow  our  officiating  clergy  to  choose  one 
of  their  bodv,  as  bishop;  and  it  is  left  to  our  determination 
whether  he  shall  be  an  orditiary  taking  title  from  some  town 
of  our  appointment,  or  a  titular  bishop,  by  which  I  under- 
stand, a  bishop  constituted  over  a  comitry  without  the  desig- 
nation of  any  particular  See"  (vide  Thomassin,  "De  la  Dis- 
cipline de  rEglisc"). 

The  letter  of  CardiTial  Antonelli  was  as  follows: 

"Rome,  July  12,1788. 
«'  Inasmuch  as  all  the  laborers  in  this  vineyard  of  the  Lord 
agree  in  this,  that  the  appointment  of  one  bishop  seems  al> 
solutely  necessary  to  retain  priests  in  duty  and  to  propagate 
more  widely  piety  and  religion— a  bishop  who  can  preside 
over  the  flock  of  Catholics  scattered  through  these  States  of 
Confederate  Amt-ica,  and  rule  and  govern  them  with  the  au- 
thority of  an  ordinary.  Our  Most  Holy  Lord  Pope  Pius  VL 
with  the  advice  of  this  holy  Congregation,  has  most  benignly 
decided  that  a  favorable  consent  should  bp  given  to  your 
vows  and  petitions.     By  you  therefore,  it  is  first  to  bo  exam- 
ined in  what  city  this  episcopal  see  ought  to  be  erected,  and 
whether  the  title  of  the  bishopric  is  to  be  taken  from  the 
place  of  the  see,  or  whether  a  titular  bishop  only  should  be 
established.    This  having  been  done,  his  Holiness  as  a  special 
favor  and  for  this  first  time,  permits  the  priests  who  at  the 
present  time  duly  exercise   the   ministry  of   the  Catholic 
religion  and  have  care  of  souls  to  elect  as  bishop  a  person 
eminent  in  piety,  prudence,  and  7.eal  for  the  faith,  from  the 
said  clergy,  and  present  him  to  the  Apostolic  See  to  obtain 
confirmation.     And  the  Sacred  Congregation  does  not  doubt 


884  UFE  OF  AHCUBI8HOP  CARROLL. 

but  that  you  will  diHchargo  tliiH  matter  with  bocoining  cir- 
cunisiwetion,  nn.l  it  I.ojk'h  that  this  whole  Hock  will  dorivu 
not  only  great  heneHt  bnt  alho  great  conHolation  from  this 
epiwopate.  It  will  be  then  for  you  to  decide  both  the  propn- 
deHignation  of  a  See  and  the  election  of  a  bishop,  that  the. 
matter  may  be  further  proceeded  with. 

"  In  the  meanwhile,  *&c. 

"L.  Cardinal  Antonelli, 

"Stki'ukn  Borgia,  "Prefect. 

"  Secretary." ' 

This  was  addressed  to  the  Very  Ilev.  John  Carroll,  Robert 
Molyneux,  and  John  Ashton,  and  after  its  reception  a  meet- 
in^'  ,,f  the  clergy  was  convened  at  Whitemarsh,  in  Maryland 
This  assemblage  of  the  clergy  was  held  according  to  Ecclesi- 
astical rulos;  the  convocation  was  made  in  a  canonical  man- 
ner.    On  the  appointed  day  the  priests  assembled  to  the 
numlH^r  of  twenty-six.     The  holy  sacrifice  of  the  mass  was 
offered,  and  the  grace  and  assistance  of  the  Holy  Ghost  were 
invoked.     The  suffrages  of  all  those  present  were  collected, 
and  twenty-four  votes  were  given  for  the  Very  Kev.  John' 
Carroll,  only  one  vote  beside  his  own  U-ing  cast  for  any 
other.     An  authentic  act  of  tliis  assembly  was  then  drawn 
up,  signed,  and  forwarded  to  tlie  Sacred  Congregation  de 
Propagjuula  Fide.' 

Wheti  the  result  of  the  harmonious  convocation  of  the 
clergy  reached  the  Court  of  Rome,  the  choice  gsive  com- 
plete satisfaction;  for  Dr.  Carroll  was  evidently  the  one  to 
whom  the  Sovereign  I\,ntiff  wished  to  comnit  the  '     an- 


'  Cartlinal  .\ntonelII  to  the  CommiUec  of  the  American  Clergy. 
'  Dilhet.  "  Etat  tie  rE^HiMe  Catholiqu,-  ou  du  Diocese  des  Etats  Unia 
de  1  Amenque  Septentriouale. " 


i«il 


DR.  CARROLUS  NOMINATION. 


889 


izfttion  of  the  now  diocese,  his  piety,  prudence,  zeal,  learning, 
,„d  the  ability  he  ha.l  displayed  an  Prefect,  rendering  linn  in 
'the  estinuition  of  Pope  l'iu«  VI,  one  providentially  raised 

up  for  the  task. 

Writing  in  May,  1789,  to  \m  friend,  the  Uev.  Charles 
Plowden,  Dr.  Carroll  says:  "Our  brethren  chose  to  have  an 
ordinary  bishop,  and  named  Baltimore  to  be  the  bishop's  title, 
this  being  the  principal  town  of  Maryland,  and  that  State  be- 
i,ur  the  ol.lest  and  still  the  most  numerous  residence  of  our 
religh.n  in  America.     So  far  all  was  right.     We  then  pro 
ceeded  to  the  election ;  the  event  of  which  was  such  as  de- 
prives me  of  all  expectation  of  rest  or  pleasure  henceforward, 
and  fills  me  with  terror  with  re^^ct  to  eternity.     I  am  so 
stunned  with  the  issue  of  this  business,  that  I  truly  hate  the 
hearing  or  mention  of  it ;  and  therefore  will  say  only,  that 
einco  my  brethren,  whom  in  this  case  I  consider  the  interpre- 
ters of  the  Divine  will,  say  I  must  obey,  I  will  even  do  it,  if 
by  obeying,  I  shall  siicrifice  henceforth  every  moment  of 
peace  and  witisfaction." 

The  Prefect-Apostolic  knew  by  bitter  experience  that  while 
the  office  brought  no  pomp  or  emolument,  its  cares  and  anx- 
ieties would  increase  <lay  by  day.  But  to  decline  the  appoint- 
ment would  inevitably  have  led  to  tl miination  Im  Europe 

of  some  one  entirely  unacqi,  i  will,  the  country,  and  the 

Catholic  clergy  and  peopK   in  it,  as  well  as  with  their  actual 

^""carTi'nal  Antonelli  wrote  to  Dr.  Carroll  on  lie  Uth  of 
November,  1789  :  "  We  cannot  sufficiently  express  m  wonls 
how  wonderfully  w.-  liave  l)ecn  rejoicwl  that  that  distinguishod 
asscmbhige  of  priests,  assembled  by  order  of  the  Congregation, 
have  almost  unanimously  agreed  upon  you  and  selected  you 
to  occupy  the  new  See  of  Baltimore.  For,  in  the  first  pla.c 
we  are  raised  to   great  hope   that  the  Christian  people, 


i 


)\ 


;if 


I  -tta.  am 


:M 


336 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


strengthened  by  the  consoling  guardianship  of  a  new  Bishop 
will  increase  and  be  more  confirmed  in  faith  and  works  of 
faith. 

"  We  congratulate  ourselves,  too,  that  you  were  selected 
by  that  clergy  as  most  worthy  of  this  new  increase  of  di,-- 
nity.     For  such  is  oui-  preconceived  opinion  of  your  virtues 
that  we  can  feel  no  doubt  but  that  you  will  abundantly 
correspond  alike  to  the  honor  and  the  burthen.     Our  mo.-it 
holy  Lord  Pope  Pius  VI.  was  also  a  partaker  of  this  joy  so 
justly  entertiiiued  by  us,  for  as  he  had  already  made  you 
Vicar-Apostolic  in   those   States,  he   now  most  cheerlullv 
seized  the  opportunity  of  increasing  your  dignity,  and  ther^ 
fore  by  the  plenitude  of  the  Apostolic  power,  declare.!  you 
the  new  Bishop  of  Baltimore  in  Apostolic  letters  herewith 
transmitted. 

"  We  congratulate  you,  therefore,  on  this  new  and  ample 
digm-ty,  and  earnestly  exhort  you  to  undertake  the  care  of 
the  flock  com.nitted  to  you  with  alacrity,  relying  on  the  aid 
of  Almighty  God.  It  is  illustrious  and  glorious  to  be  able 
to  offer  as  it  were  the  first  fruits  to  God  of  this  vineyard  of 
the  Lord.  Enjoy,  then,  this  great  good  for  your  own  salva- 
tion and  that  of  others,  and  the  increase  of  the  Catholic  faith 
which  we  trust  will  day  by  day  strike  deeper  roots  in  thosj 
remote  States  of  the  New  World." 

On  the  Uth  of  September  the  Cardinals  constituting  the 
Sacred  Congregation  "de  Propaganda  Fide,"  after  readiuij  the 
letter  of  the  American  clergy  selecting  Baltimore  jvs  the'see 
and  the  Very  Rev.  John  Carroll  as  their  choice  for  its  first 
Bishop,  approved  the  nomination,  and  the  formal  report  hav- 
ing been  made  to  him  on  the  17th,  his  Holiness  Popt  Pius 
VL  ordered  Jiulls  to  l)e  prepared  erecting  the  new  See 
and  appointing  the  Very  Rev.  John  Carroll  as  the  first 
Bishop. 


BULL  ERECTING  SEE  OF  BALTIMORE.       337 

The  Bull  issued  under  the  seal  of  the  Fisherman's  ring,  on 
the  6th  of  November,  1789,  was  in  these  words : ' 

"Pius  Pope  VI. 

"FOit  THE   PERPETUAL  MEMORY  OF  THE   FACT. 

"  When  from  the  eminence  of  our  apostolical  station,  we 
bend  our  attention  to  the  different  repjions  of  the  earth,  in 
order  to  fulfil,  to  the  utmost  extent  of  our  power,  the  duty 
which  our  Lord  has  imposed  upon  our  unworthiness  of  ruling 
and  feeding  his  flock ;  our  care  and  solicitude  are  particularly 
engaged  that  the  faithful  of  Christ,  who,  dispersed  through 
various  provinces,  are  united  with  us  by  Catholic  commun- 
ion, may  be  governed  by  their  proper  pastors,  and  diligently 
instructed  by  them  in  the  discipline  of  evangelical  life  and 
doctrine.     For  it  is  our  principle  that  they  who,  relying  on 
the  divine  assistance,  have  regulated  their  lives  and  manners 
agreeably  to  the  precepts  of  Christian  wisdom,  ought  so  to 
command  their  own  passions  as  to  promote  by  the  pursuit  of 
justice  their  own  and  their  neighbor's  spiritual  advantage ; 


1  Extractum  ex  Codice  "Acta  8.  Congr.  de  Prop.  Fide  Anni  1789." 

14  Sept  1789.— Relatis  a  me  Lltteris  8acerdotum  animanim  curam 
gerentium  in  Foederatis  Americae  Provinciis  qui  indicarunt  Civitatem 
Baltimori  aptissimam  esse  pro  sede  Episcopali,  etDD.  Joannem  Carroll  ia 
ejusdem  primum  Episcopum  designanint  EE.  DD.  utrutnque  probave- 
runt.  facto  verbo  cum  SSmo. 

Die  17  Sept""''  ejusdena  inni  1789. 

Facta  per  me  SSmo  relatione,  Sanctitas  sua  S.  Congnis  sententiam  be- 
nigne  probavit,  mihique  mandavit  ut  litteras  Aplicas  conficerem,  trans- 
mittendasque  in  Seg'"  Brevium  pro  Expeditione. 

L.  Cabd.  .' ntonellub,  Prsef. 
Ex  Regiatro  Decret.  pag.  468. 

EE.  DO.  censuerunt  supplicandum  esse  SS""  pro  ercctione  urbis  Bal- 
timori in  sedem  Episcopalem  et  pro  conflrmatione  electionis  Joannis  Car- 
roll in  ejusdem  urbis  Episcopum  cum  ordinaria  jurisdictione  super  clcrum 
et  populum  omncsque  Catholicos  degentcs  in  Provinciis  Foederata;  Amer. 
icffl  imperio  subjectis. 
15 


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KAC-SmiLE   OF  THE   COMMKNCKMENT  OF  THE  BCLL  BKECTINO  THE  8EK 

OF  BALTIMORE. 

(838) 


BULL  ERECTING  SEE  OF  BALTIMORE.       339 

and  that  they  who  have  received  from  their  bishops,  and  by 
checking  tiie  intemperance  of  self-wisdom,  have  steadily  ad- 
hered to  the  heavenly  doctrine  delivered  by  Christ  to  the 
Catholic  Church,  should  not  be  carried  away  by  every  wind 
of  doctrine,  but,  grounded  on  the  authority  of  divine  revela- 
tion, should  reject  the  new  and  varying  doctrines  of  men 
which  endanger  the  tranquillity  of  government,  and  rest  in 
the  unchangeable  faith  of  the  Catholic  Church.     For  in  the 
present  degeneracy  of  corrupt  manners  into  which  human 
nature,  ever  resisting  the  sweet  yoke  of  Christ,  is  hurried, 
and  in  the  pride  of  talents  and  knowledge  which  disdains  to 
submit  the  opinions  and  dreams  of  men  to  the  evangelical 
truth  delivered  by  Jesus  Christ,  support  must  be  given  by 
that  heavenly  authority  which  is  entrusted  to  the  Catholic 
Church,  as  to  a  steady  pillar  and  solid  foundation  which  shall 
never  fail ;  that  from  her  voice  and  instructions  mankind  may 
learn  the  c  ^v.^rus  of  their  faith  and  the  rules  of  their  conduct, 
not  only  :<  .  ;!<:?  obtaining  of  eternal  salvation,  but  also  for 
the  regulation  of  this  life  and  the  maintaining  of  concord  in 
the  society  of  this  earthly  city.     Now,  this  charge  of  teach- 
ing and  ruling  first  given  to  the  apostles,  and  esneciilly  to 
St.  Peter,  the  Prince  of  the  Apostles,  on  who. i  the 

('hurch  is  built,  and  to  whom  our  Lord  and  Redeemer  en- 
trusted the  feeding  of  his  lambs  and  of  his  sheep,  has  been 
derived  in  due  order  of  succession  to  Bishops,  and  especially 
to  the  Roman  Pontiffs,  successors  of  St.  Peter  and  heirs  of  his 
power  and  dignity,  that  thereby  it  might  be  made  evident 
that  the  gates  of  hell  can  never  prevail  against  the  Church, 
and  that  the  divine  founder  of  it  will  ever  assist  it  to  the 
consummation  of  ages ;  so  that  neither  in  the  depravity  of 
morals  nor  in  the  fluctuation  of  novel  opinions,  the  episcopal 
succession  shall  ever  fail  or  the  bark  of  Peter  be  sunk. 
Wherefore,  it  having  reached  our  ears  that  in  the  flourishing 


■i 

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340  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

commonwealth  of  the  Thirteen  American  States  many  faith- 
ful Christians  united  in  communion  with  the  chair  of  Peter 
m  which  the  centre  of  Catholic  unity  is  fixed,  and  governed' 
m  their  spiritual  concerns  by  their  own  priests  having  care 
of  souk  earnestly  desire  that  a  Bishop  may  be  appointed 
over  theia  to  exercise  the  functions  of  episcopal  order  ;  to  feed 
them  more  largely  with  the  food  of  salutary  doctrine,  and  to 
guard  more  carefully  that  portion  of  the  Catholic  flock. 

"  We  willingly  embraced  this  opportunity  which  the  grace 
of  Almighty  God  has  afforded  us  to  provide  those  distant 
regions  with  the  comfort  and  ministry  of  a  Catholic  Bishop 
And  that  this  be  effected  more  successfully,  and  according  to 
the  rules  of  the  sacred  canons,  We  commissioned  our  venera 
ble  Brethren  the  Cardinals  of  the  holy  Eoman  Church  di- 
rectors of  the  Congregation  '  de  propaganda  fide,'  to  manage 
this  business  with  the  greatest  care,  and  to  make  a  report  to 
us.    It  wa*  therefore  appointed  by  their  decree,  approved  by 
us,  and  published  the  twelfth  day  of  July  of  the  last  year 
that  the  priests  who  lawfully  exercise  the  sacred  ministry  and 
have  care  of  souls  in  the  United  States  of  America,  should 
be  empowered  to  advise  together  and  to  determine,  first,  in 
what  town  the  episcopal  see  ought  to  be  erected,  and  next, 
who  of  the  aforesaid  priests  ai>peared  the  most  worthy  and 
proper  to  be  promoted  to  this  important  charge,  whom  We 
for  the  first  time  only,  and  by  special  grace  permitted  the 
8aid  priests  to  elect  and  to  present  to  this  apostolic  See.     In 
obedience  to  this  decree  the  aforesaid  priests  exercising  the 
care  of  souls  in  the  United  States  of  America,  unanimously 
agreed  that  a  bishop  with  ordinary  jurisdiction,  ought  to  be 
established  in  the  town  of  Baltimore,  l>ecause  this  town  situ- 
ate in  Maryland,  which  province  the  greater  part  of  the 
priests  and  of  the  faithful  inhabit,  appeared  the  most  con- 
veniently placed  for  intercourse  with  the  other  States,  and 


BULL  ERECTING  SEE  OF  BALTIMORE.       341 

because  from  this  province  Catholic  religion  and  faith  bad 
been  propagated  into  the  others.    And  at  the  time  appointed 
for  the  election,  they  being  assembled  together,  the  sacrifice 
of  holy  Mass,  being  celebrated,  and  the  grace  and  assistance 
of  the  Holy  Ghost  being  implored,  the  votes  of  all  present 
were  taken,  and  of  twenty-eix  priests  who  were  assembled 
twenty-four  gave  their  votes  for  our  beloved  son,  John  Car- 
roll, whom  they  judged  the  most  proper  to  support  the  bur- 
den of  episcopacy,  and  sent  an  authentic  instrument  of  the 
whole  transaction  to  the  aforesaid  Congregation  of  Cardinals. 
Now  all  things  being  materially  weighed  and  considered  in 
this  Congregation,  it  was  easily  agreed  that  the  interests  and 
increase  of  Catholic  religion  would  be  greatly  promoted  if  an 
episcopal  see  were  erected  at  Baltimore,  and  the  said  John 
Carroll  were  appointed  the  Bishop  of  it.     We,  therefore,  to 
whom  this  opinion  has  been  reported  by  our  beloved  son. 
Cardinal  Antonelli,  Prefect  of  the  said  Congregation,  having 
nothing  more  at  heart  than  to  ensure  success  to  whatever 
tends  to  tlie  propagation  of  true  religion,  and  to  the  honor 
and  increase  of  the  Catholic  Church,  by  the  plenitude  of  our 
apostolical  power,  and  by  the  tenor  of  these  presents,  do  es- 
tablish and  erect  the  aforesaid  town  of  Baltimore  into  an  epis- 
copal see  forever,  for  one  Bishop  to  be  chosen  by  us  in  all 
future  vacancies ;  and  We,  therefore,  by  the  apostolical  au- 
thority aforesaid,  do  allow,  grant  and  permit  to  the  Bishop 
of  the  said  city  and  to  his  successors  in  all  future  times,  to 
exercise  episcopal  power  and  jurisdiction,  and  every  other 
episcopal  function  which  Bishops  constituted  in  other  places 
are    empowered    to   hold    and    enjoy   in    their   respective 
churches,  cities  and  dioceses,  by  right,  custom,  or  by  other 
mea'is,  by  geneial  privileges,  graces,  indults  and  apostolical 
dispensations,  together  with  all  pre-eminences,  honors,  im- 
munities, graces  and  favors,  which  other  Cathedral  Churches, 


i^i     i 


342  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


I.  *- 


by  right  or  custom,  or  in  any  other  sort,  have,  hold  and  enjoy. 
We  moreover  decree  and  declare  the  said  Episcopal  see  thu8 
erected  to  be  subject  or  suffragan  to  no  Metropolitan  right 
or  jurisdiction,  but  to  be  forever  subject,  iiiunediately  to  us 
and  to  our  successors  the  Roman  Pontiffs,  and  to  this  Apos- 
tolical  See.     And  till  another  opportunity  shall  be  presented 
to  us  of  establishing  other  Catliolic  Bishops  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  till  other  dispositions  shall  be  made 
by  this  apostolical  See,  We  declare,  by  our  apostolical  author- 
ity, all  the  faithful  of  Christ,  living  in  Catholic  commum'on, 
as  well  ecclesiastics  as  seculars,  and  all  the  clergy  and  people 
dwelling  in  the  aforesaid  United  States  of  America,  thongh 
liitherto  they  may  have  been  subject  to  other  Bishops  of 
other  dioceses,  to  be  henceforward  subject  to  the  Bishop  of 
Baltimore   in   all   future   times;   And   whereas   by   special 
grant,  and  for  this  first  time  only,  we  have  allowed  the  priests 
exercising  the  care  of  souls  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
to  elect  a  ])er8on  to  be  appointed  Bishop  by  us,  and  almost 
all  their  votes  have  been  given  to  our  beloved  Son,  John  Cai-- 
roll,  Priest ;  We  being  otherwise  certified  of  his  faith,  pru- 
dence, piety  and  zeal,  forasimich  as  by  our  mandiite  he  hath 
during  the  late  years  d.'rected  the  spiritual  government  of 
souls,  do  therefore  by  the  plenitude  of  our  authority,  declare, 
create,  appoint  and  constitute  the  said  John  Carroll,  Bishop 
and  Pastor  of  the  said  Church  of  Baltimore,  granting  to  him 
the  faculty  of  receiving  the  rite  of  consecration  from  any 
Catholic  bishop  holding  communion  with  the  apostolical  see, 
assisted  by  two  ecdesiiu-tics,  vested  with  some  dignity,  in  cai^e 
that  two  bisliops  cannot  Ikj  had.  first  having  taken  the  usual 
oath  according  to  the  Roman  Pontifical. 

"And  we  commission  the  said  Bishop  elect  to  erect  a 
church  in  the  said  city  of  Baltimore,  in  form  of  a  Cathedral 
Church,  inasmuch  as  the  times  and  circumstances  may  allow, 


BULL  ERECTING  SEE  OF  BALTIMORE.       343 

to  institute  a  body  of  clergy  deputed  to  divine  worship,  and 
to  the  service  of  said  church,  and  moreover  to  establish  an 
episcopal  seminary,  either  in  the  same  city  or  elsewhere,  as 
he  shall  judge  most  expedient,  to  administer  ecclesiastical  in- 
comes, and  to  execute  all  other  things  which  he  shall  think 
in  the  Lord  to  be  expedient  for  the  increase  of  Catholic  faith 
and  the  augmentation  of  the  worship  and  splendor  of  the 
new  erected  church.     We  moreover  enjoin  the  said  Bishop 
to  obey  the  injunctions  of  our  venerable  brethren,  the  Cardi- 
nals Directors  of  the  Sacred  Congregation  '  de  propaganda 
fide,'  to  transmit  to  them  at  proper  times  a  relation  of  his 
visitation  of  his  church,  and  to  inform  them  of  all  things 
which  he  shall  judge  to  be  useful  to  the  spiritual  good  and 
salvation  of  the  flock  trusted  to  his  charge.     We  therefore 
decree  that  these  our  lett.TS  are  and  ever  shall  be  firm,  valid 
and  efficacious,  and  shall  obtain  their  full  and  entire  effect ; 
and  be  observed  inviolable  by  all  persons  whom  it  now  doth 
or  hereafter  may  concern  ;  and  that  all  judges  ordinary  and 
delegated,  even  auditors  of  causes  of  the  sacred  apostolical 
palace,  and  Cardinals  of  the  holy  Eoman  Church,  must  thus 
judge  and  define,  .lepnving  all  and  each  of  them  of  all  power 
and  authority  to  judge  or  interpret  in  any  other  manner,  and 
declaring  all  to  be  null  and  void,  if  any  one,  by  any  author- 
ity should  presume,  either  knowingly  or  unknowingly,  to 
attempt  anything  contrary  thereunto.     Notwithstanding  all 
apostolical,  general  or  special  constitutions  and  ordinations, 
published  in  universal,  provincial  and  synodical  councils,  and 
all  things  contrary  whatsoever. 

'^  Given  at  Rome  at  St.  Mary  Major,  under  the  Fisher- 
n.an's  Ring,  the  6th  day  of  November,  1789,  and  in  the  fif- 
teenth year  of  our  Pontificate. 

rr   a^  "R.  Card.  Braschi  Onesti." 

LL.  8.J 


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ijife. 


FACSmrLH  OF  THE  CLOSE  OF  THE  BULL  EBECTIXO  TOE  SEE  OF 

BALTIMORE. 


(844) 


RELIGIOUS  FREEDOM. 


345 


Having  thus  followed  the  development  of  organization  in 
the  Church  to  the  crowning  act,  the  establishment  of  an  epis- 
copal see,'  it  is  necessary  to  consider  the  position  of  Catholics 
in  this  country  under  the  reorganization  of  the  general  gov- 
cnunent  of  tlie  United  States. 

The  Articles  of  Confederation  adopted  during  the  war 
with  England  had  not  proved  adequate  to  the  permanent 
government,  and  a  body  of  delegates  was  convened  to  adopt 
amendments. 

Tlie  Convention  which  met  at  Philadelphia  in  May,  1787, 
to  amend  the  Articles  of  Confederation  then  binding  the 
States   together,   was   not   without   its    Catholic   members. 
Thomas  Fitzsimons,  of  Philadelphia,  attended  the  opening 
session,  and  was  soon  joined  by  Daniel  Carroll,  of  Maryland, 
brother  of  the  Prefect-Apostolic.    In  the  minds  of  the  states- 
men there  assembled,  the  question  of  religious  equality  under 
the  national   administration  was  not  overlooked.     Charles 
Pinckney,  in  his  "  Draft  of  a  Federal  Government,'-  vrhich 
he  laid  before  the  Convention,  had  included   this  clause. 
"  The  legislature  of  the  United  States  shall  pass  no  law  on 
the  subject  of  religion,"  but  it  was  omitted  in  the  form  of 
the  Constitution  actually  adopted,  although  no  objection  was 
raised."     The  first  step  therefore  towards  the  removal  of  re- 
ligious disabilities  and  the  establishment  of  equal  rights,  was 
made  by  this  able  son  of  South  Carolina. 

The  question  of  religion  did  not  arise  till  the  sixth  arti- 
cle came  up,  bearing  on  the  oath  to  be  taken  by  Federal  and 


'  Bull  in  the  Archives  of  the  Archbishop  of  Baltimore.  "  A  Short  Ac- 
count of  the  Estiiblishment  of  the  new  See  of  Baltimore,  in  Maryland, 
and  of  consecrating  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  John  Carroll,"  etc.,  London, 
1790. 

'  Yates,  "  Secret  Proceedings  and  Debates  of  the  Conveiition,"  Albany, 
1821,  p.  217. 

16* 


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346  Z/F^  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

State  offirern.    Charles  Pincknoy,  of  South  Carolina,  proposed 
tliat  a  clause  nhould  be  intr..duced  preventing  any  reiigi„„R 
test.     Soino  members  regarded  such  a  clause  as  unnecessarv 
but  a«  under  the  Engh'sh  rule  a  declaration  had  long  l^jon  en' 
forced,  which  excluded  all  Cntholics  from  office,  and  a  similar 
oath  even  at  this  time  debarred  Catholics  from  olHct  (.r  n,tu 
ralization  in  New  York,  it  was  well  to  prevent  the  j.rinciple 
from  being  introduced  into  the  govermnent  of  the  United 
States.     The  clause   pr..iM)sed   by   Pinckney   was  adopted 
North  Carolina  being  the  only  State  that  voted  against  it,' 
and   Afaryland  casting  no  vo(.^   the  rejiresentatives  of  thj 
Protestant  ascendency  in  that  State,  being  loth  to  relinquish 
the  old  system. 

This  sixth  article  provides:  "but  no  religions  test  shall 
ever  Ih)  required  as  a  (pialification  to  any  office  of  public 
trust  under  the  United  States." 

When  the  result  ot  their  deliberations  was  laid  before  the 
people,  the  action  of  the  Conventio.i  which  had  attracted 
little  attention  was  warndy  discusse-l.  There  was  a  strong 
oi)|KJsiti(>n  to  the  proposed  Constitution.  The  vote  of  Cath- 
olics where  their  numl)ers  exerted  influence,  as  in  Maryland 
and  Pennsylvania,  was  shown  in  favor  of  the  Constitution. 
New  York,  strongly  anti-Catholic  in  her  own  organic  law,  at 
last  received  it  reluctantly,  while  Rhode  Island  and  North 
Carolina,  where  Catholicity  was  practically  unknown,  rejected 
it  absolutely.  Other  States  accepted  reluctantly,  proposing 
iJi  amendments  what  they  deemed  essential. 

In  some  States  the  want  of  a  religious  test  excited  strong 
opposition.  A  delegjjte  in  the  Massachusetts  Legislature 
complained  that  "a  Papist  or  an  infidel  was  as  eligible  as  a 
Christian";  another  contended  that  they  were  opening  the 
dfx.r  to  iK)pery  and  the  inquisition  by  r'-spensing  with  a  re- 
ligious test.     But  the  Protestant  ministers  in  the  House  sup- 


RELIQIOrS  FREEDOM. 


847 


ported  the  ConHtitiition  as  it  sti.od,  and  the  Rev.  Isaac  Backus 
declared  "the  imposing  (»f  rehgious  testa  hath  bcoii  the  great- 
est engine  of  tyranny  in  the  world." 

North  Carolina,  following  her  action  in  the  Convention, 
also  censured  the  clause,  but  Iredell  urged  its  necessity,  declar- 
ing that  "  under  the  color  of  religious  tests,  the  utmost  cruel- 
ties have  been  exercised." 

Virginia,  North  Carolina,  and  Rhode  Inland,  among  the 
iimendments  proposed,  had  one  based  on  a  provision  intro- 
duced by  Jefferson  in  the  Virginia  Constitution,"  declaring 
the  rights  of  conscience  and  the  right  to  a   free  exercise  of 
religion,  and  enacting  that  no  religious  sect  or  society  ought 
to  be  favored  or  estaldished  by  law  in  prefconce  to  others. 
New  York  did  the  same  in  a  more  succinct  form.     None  of 
these  States  put  the  matter  in  a  distinct  restrictive  clause. 
But  New  Hampshire,  which  was  to  retain  on  her  statute- 
book  laws  excluding  Catholics  from  office,  seemed  to  fear  that 
Congress  might  establisli  Cathohcity,  or  make  religious  lil> 
erty  universal.     It  accordingly  proposed:    "XI.  Congress 
shall  make   no  laws  touching  religion,  or  to  infringe  the 
rights  of  conscience." '     But  she  finally  adopted  the  Consti- 
tution, which  thus,  so  far  as  the  national  government  is  con- 
cerned, rtlieved  Catholics  from  the  shameful  and  odious  test 
which  had  so  long  disgraced  England  and  her  colonies.    The 
United  States  under  her  wise  Constitution  stood  before  the 
world  purged  from  the  blaspheiny.     In  the  Amendments  to 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  adopted,  the  fourth,  as 
finally  altered  on  motion  of  Mr.  Ames,  reads:  "Congress 


'  "  Ordinances  passed  at  a  gem trI  convention  of  Delegates  aiiu  Repre- 
sentatives ....  of  Virginia,  held  ....  the  6tii  of  May,  Anno  Dom. 
1776.     Williamsburg";  p.  5. 

'  Form  of  the  Ratification,  June  21,  1788;  Carey,  "American  Mu- 
tmm,"  iv.,  p.  149 ;  vi.,  p.  42. 


Pi 


m 


I, 


1     "'  IJ 


848 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


shall  make  no  law  oBtablishing  religion,  or  to  provoiit  tlin 
irco  exercise  tliereof ;  or  to  infringe  the  rights  of  cotiHcienoe." 

The  result  justified  the  forecast  of  Charles  Pincknev,  of 
South  Carolina,  to  whom  the  honor  of  introducing  the*  sub- 
ject in  the  Convention  is  due.' 

The  election  of  General  George  Washington  as  President 
under  the  Constitution,  and  the  happy  organization  of  the 
new  government,  were  viewed  by  Catholics  with  joy. 

To  fxpresH  the  sentiments  whii-li  pervaded  the  faithful 
throughout  the  United  States,  the  IJishoivelect  of  Baltimore, 
in  iKihalf  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Clergy,  with  Charles  Car- 
roll of  Carrollton,  and  Daniel  Carroll  of  Maryland,  Domi- 
nick  Lynch  of  New  York,  and  Thomas  Fitzsiinons  of 
Pennsylvania,  on  behalf  of  the  Roman  (Catholic  laity,  pre- 
sented to  General  Washington  the  following  Address : 
"  Sir, 

"  We  have  been  long  impatient  to  testify  our  joy,  and  un- 
bounde.1  ooi.fidenee  in  your  being  call<.d,"by  nn  Unanimous 
Vote,  to  the  first  Station  of  a  country,  in  which  that  unan- 
imity could  not  have  l)een  obtained  without  the  previous 
merit  of  unexainpled  services,  of  oi.iinent  wisdom  and  un- 
blemished virtue.  Onr  congratulations  have  not  reached  you 
sooner,  becanse  our  scattered  situation  prevented  our  com- 
munication, and  the  collecting  of  those  sentiments  which 
warmed  every  breast.     But  the  delay  has  furnished  us  with 


It  ha«  been  stated  that  Catholics  petitioned  Conpress  to  add  the 
Amen.  mont.  Such  a  petition  and  the  action  on  it  woul.l  appear  some- 
where  in  the  prooeedin^^  of  Congress  :  but  there  is  not  the  slightest  trace 

K  v!!^  ^''"'■""'''  "'  '1'^"""'"'"  «f  any  8"ch  paper.  The  idea  arose 
probably  from  some  vap.ie  recollection  of  the  address  of  the  Catholics  to 
Gen.  Washmgton.  Consult  Schaff,  ■'Clu.rch  and  State  in  the  United 
Smtes.     New  -Jork,  1888;  Elliott's  Debates,  ii..  pp.  120.  148;  iv     p 


CATHOLIC  AJJDHE8S  TO   WASHINGTON.      iJ4i> 

tlie  opportunity,  not  merely  of  preflaging  t^'O  happllicM  to  be 
exiiected  uikUt  your  AdminiHtrutioii,  but  of  bearing  testi- 
nu.ny  to  that  wiiieh  wo  oxpericjice  already.     It  is  your  yte- 
fiiliar  talent,  in  war  and  in  jwace,  to  afford  security  to  those 
who  commit  their  protection  into  your  handH.     In  war  you 
slueld  them  from  the  ravages  of  armed  hoHtilit\  ;  in  peace, 
you  establish  public  traiuiuillity,  by  the  justice  and  modera- 
tion, not  less  than  by  tlie  vigour,  of  your  government.     By 
example,  as  well  as  by  vigilance   you  extend  the  influence  of 
laws  on  the  manners  of  our  fe!  ow-citizens.     You  encourage 
respect  for  religion ;   and  inculcate  by  words  and  actions, 
that  i)rinciple,  on  which  the  welfare  of  "-^tions  so  nmch  de- 
pends, that  a  superinttMuling  provide'       gov  rns  the  events 
of  the  world,  and  watches  over  the  -  ■>nauct  oi    -nen.     Your 
exalted  maxims,  and  unwearied  att«i:<ti  ...i  to  t.  >  moral  and 
physical   improvement  of  our  countrj     '^r.'.  produced  al- 
ready the   happiest   effects.      Under  your    administration, 
America  is  animated  with  zeal  for  tho  attainii;eT.t  and  en- 
couragement of  useful  literature.     She  improves  her  agri- 
culture ;  extends  her  commerce ;  and  acquires  with  foreign 
nations  a  dignity  unknown  to  her  before.     From  these  happy 
events,  in  which  none  can  feel  a  warm<-r  interest  than  our- 
selves, we  derive  additional   pleasure,  by  recollecting  that 
you.  Sir,  have  been  tho  principal  instrument  to  effect  so 
rapid  a  change  in  our  political  situation.     This  prospect  of 
national  prosperity  is  peculiarly  pleasing  to  w  on  another  ac- 
count ;  because,  whilst  our  country  preserves  her  freedom 
and  independence,  we  shall  have  a  well  founded  title  to 
claim  from  her  justice,  the  ecjual  rights  of  citizenship,  as  tho 
price  of  our  bloiul  spilt  under  your  eyes,  and  of  our  common 
exertions  ft.r  her  defence,  under  your  auspicious  conduct- 
rights  rendered  more  dear  to  us  by  the  remembrance  of  for- 
mer hardships.    When  we  pray  for  the  preservation  of  them, 


I      >1 


I      i 


M 


IS«^S 


1 1  f  ■^  Isf 


Fi'' 


350 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


where  they  have  been  granted— and  expect  the  full  extension 
of  them  from  the  justice  of  those  States,  which  still  restrict 
them'— when  we  solicit  the  protection  of  Heaven  over  our 
common  country,  we  neither  omit,  nor  can  omit  recommend- 
ing your  preservation  to  the  singular  care  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence ;  because  we  conceive  that  no  human  means  are  so 
available  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  United  States  as  the 
prolongation  of  your  health  and  life,  in  which  are  included 
the  energy  of  your  example,  the  wisdom  of  your  counsels, 
and  the  persuasive  eloquence  of  your  virtues." '' 

To  this  Address  President  Washington  made  this  reply : 

"To     THE     EOMAN     CaTHOLICS    IN    THE     UnITED    StATES    OF 

America. 

"  Gentlemen,— While  I  now  receive  with  much  satisfaction 
your  congratulations  on  my  being  called,  by  an  unanimous 
vote,  to  the  first  station  in  my  Country ;  I  cannot  but  duly 
notice  your  politeness  in  offering  an  apology  for  the  niia- 
voidable  delay.  As  that  delay  has  given  you  an  opportum'ty 
of  realizing,  instead  of  anticipating,  the  benefits  of  the  gen- 
eral Government;  you  will  do  me  the  justice  to  believe,  that 
your  testimony  of  the  increase  of  the  public  prosperity,  en- 
hances the  pleasure  which  I  should  otherwise  have  ex])eri- 
enced  from  your  affectionate  Address. 

"  I  feel  that  my  conduct,  in  war  and  in  peace,  has  met  with 
more  general  approbation  than  could  reasonably  have  been 
expected  :  and  I  find  myself  disposed  to  consider  that  fortu- 


>  AlludiiiR  to  New  Jersey.  North  and  South  Carolina,  which  required 
a  behef  in  the  Protestant  religi,  n  for  the  enjoyment  of  religious  liberty 
or  a  seat  in  the  legislature  or  other  office. 

■'  "  An   Address  from  l!  ,>  Roman   Catholics  of  America  to  George 
A\ashington,  Es(,.,  President  of  the  United  States,"  London    1790  fol 
8  pp.     Kepriut.  New  York,  1865,  with  facsimile  and  notes 


WASHINGTON'S  REPLY. 


351 


nate  circumstance,  in  a  great  degree,  resulting  from  the  able 
support  and  extraordinary  candour  of  my  fellow-citizens  of 
all  denominations. 

«  The  prospect  of  national  prosperity  now  before  us  is  truly 
animating,  and  ought  to  excite  the  exertions  of  all  good  men 
to  establish  and  secure  the  happiness  of  their  Country,  m 
the  permanent  duration  of  its  Freedom  and  Independence. 
America,  under  the  smiles  of  a  Divine  Providence-the  pro- 
tection of  a  good  Government— and  the  cultivation  of  man- 
ners,  morals  and  piety,  cannot  fail  of  attaining  an  uncom- 
mon degree  of  eminence,  in  literature,  commerce,  agriculture, 
improvements  at  home  and  respectability  abroad. 

"As  mankind  become  more  liberal,  they  will  be  more  apt 
to  allow,  that  all  those  who  conduct  themselves  as  worthy 
members  of  the  Community  are  equally  entitled  to  (   e  pro- 
tection of  civil  Government.     I  hope  ever  to  see  America 
among  the  foremost  nations  in  examples  of  justice  and  liber- 
ality.    And  I  presume  that  your  fellow-citizens  will  not  for- 
get the  patriotic  part  which  you  took  in  the  accomplishment 
of  their  Revolution,  and  the  establishment  of  your  Govern- 
ment: or  the  important  assistance  whicli  they  received  from 
a  nation  in  which  the  Roman  Catholic  faith  is  professed. 

"  I  thank  you.  Gentlemen,  for  your  kind  concern  for  me. 
While  my  life  and  my  health  shall  continue,  in  whatever  sit- 
uation I  may  be,  it  shall  be  my  constant  endeavour  to  justify 
the  favourable  sentiments  which  you  are  pleased  to  express  of 
my  conduct.  And  may  the  members  of  your  Society  in 
America,  animated  alone  by  the  pure  spirit  of  Christianity, 
and  still  conducting  themselves  as  the  faithful  subjects  of  our 
free  Government,  enjoy  every  temporal  and  spiritual  felicity. 
" (March  12,  1790.) '  Geo.  Washington."^ 

•  From  Washinsiton's  original  reply,  presei^iu  the  Archives  of  the 
Archbishop  of  Bultiiuore. 


1 


rt. 


i^i  J  >'f 


362 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


A  person,  who  strangely  enougli  signed  himself  «  Liberal  '* 
in  a  communication  to  the  press,  attacked  the  Catholic  body 
Dr.  Carroll  replied  in  June,  1789,  in  an  article  addressed  to 
the  editor  of  the  "  Gazette  of  the  United  States,"  in  which 
the  attack  had  appeared. 

"  Every  friend  to  the  rights  of  conscience,  equal  liberty 
and   diffusive   happiness,   must  have  felt   pain   on   seeing 
the  attempt  made   by  one  of  your  correspondents  .... 
to  revive  an  odious  system  of  religious  intolerance.  ... 
Perhaps  he  is  one  of  those  who  think  it  consistent  with 
justice   to  exclude   certain   citizens  from   the  honors   and 
emoluments  of  society  merely  on  account  of  their  relig- 
ious opinions,  provided   they  be  not  restrained   by  racks 
and  forfeitures,  from  the  exercise  of  that  worship  which 
their  consciences  approve.     If  such  be  his  views,  in  vain 
then   have  Americans  associated   into    one  great   national 
union,  under  the  express  condition  of  not  being  shackled  by 
reh-gious  tests,  and  under  a  firm  persuasion  that  they  were 
to  retain,  when  associated,  every  natural  right  not  expressly 
surrendered. 

"Is  it  pretended  that  they  who  are  the  objects  of  an  in- 
tended exclusion  from  certain  offices  of  honor  and  advantage, 
have  forfeited   by  any  act   of  treason   against  the  United 
States,  the  common  rights  of  nature,  or  the  stipulated  riglits 
of  the  political  society  of  which  they  form  a  part  ?     Tliis  the 
author  has  not  presumed  to  assert.     Their  blood  flowed  as 
freely  (in  proportion  to  their  numlHjrs)  to  cement  the  fabric 
of  inde{)ondence,  as   that  of  any  of  their  fellow-citizens. 
They  concurred  with  periiaps  greater  unanimity  than  any 
other  body  of  men,  in  -econimending  and  promoting  that 
government  from  whose  influence  America  anticipates  all 
the  blessings  of  justice,  peace,  plenty,  good  order,  and  civil 


relijr- 


HEPLY  TO  "LIBERAL." 


883 


,,A  religious  litany.    What  character  stall  we  the.-  g-ve  to 

°svBtem  of  politics,  calculated  for  the  express  purpose  of  A- 

'.       nf  ,ihts  lesally  acquired  those  citizens  who  are  uot 

:;;';^:Ll;;^ut^W  couauct  has  heeu  highly  .er,- 

'1r<lL  took  up  the  assertion  that  the  ancestors  of  the 
^  eric  uVople  left  Europe  to  preserve  the  Protestant  ro- 
r  r  and  that  Protestantism  laid  the  foundation  of  this 
|,g„>ii ,  and  tnat  rr  protestaut 

great  and  new  empire,  when,  m  tact,  a  « 
tiouarchy  exerted  all  its  power  to  crush,  as  a  Cathohc  power 

"'1  Thrwir  attributes  to  his  religion  the  merit  of  heiug 
,„  JJlvorahle  to  fre.*m  ;  and  »t«rms  that  not  or^y  mora^- 

:^rcrmr^=;i:,^te -- 

I;;.;  "olderstand  it  is  not  safe  to  countenance  in  a  free 

'Curlious  to  guard  against  the  impression  intended  hy 
™.l,  i  s  nuations  •,  not  merely  for  the  sake  of  -?  o-  P  -■ 
s,,  u  hut  from  an  earnest  regard  to  preserve  mv  olate  forp  .r 
;tw  empire  the  great  principle  of  -;«■'-   -;;" ' 
The  constitutions  of  some  of  the  States  eontmue       1  to  e^ 
trench  on  the  sacred  right,  of  couscence,  ""l  »'™  »'» 
iZhM  and  opened  their  purses  as  freely,  m  the  oau.erf 
Wrtv  and  indepeute-.  as  any  other  citizens,  are  m,«t 
Its  h    exchuJl  from  the  advantages  which   they   con- 
tritod  to  establish.    But  if  Wgo.ry  and  narrow  pre,u. 

no  furtlier." 


n^ 


r-'l 


,  t,4 


854  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

Rev  Dr.  Carroll  could  feel  deeply  grateful  to  God  that 
he  had  pernntted  to  see  his  country  thus  prosperously  ad- 
vancing under  a  wise  and  beneficent  govennnent,  wlu-,;  re 
hpon  could  hope  for  the  utn^ost  freedom,  and  where  at  the' 
Ban.e  tune  the  Vicar  of  Christ  had  established  a  conmlete 
ep.scopa  pzrisdiction  under  an  American  bishop,  n.uoh  as  he 
felt  appalled  at  the  heavy  burthen  he  was  called  to  bear  for 
the  rest  of  his  days. 

When  tl.e  news  of  Dr.  Carroll's  appointn.ent  reached 
England  Thon..  Weld,  Esq.,  of  Lulworth  Castle,  a  person 
fnondof  the  Bishop-elect,  wrote  to  invite  hin,  to  his  seat 
durn,g  h.8  stay  in  England,  an  elegant  chapel  recently  con- 
structed near  the  castle  affording  every  convenience  for  the 
august  ceremony  of  his  consecration. 

Writing  to  his  friend.  Rev.  Charles  Plowden,  Dr.  Carroll 
said  :      I  cannot  sufficiently  acknowledge  the  most  obliging 
and  honorable  testimony  of  Mr.  Wel.l's  regard  :  vou  wiU  be 
pleased  to  express  with  all  that  warmfh  which  vnu  can  com 
m.mu.re  to  your  expressions,  my  deep  sense  of  i.is  generous 
F.hteness.     My  mciination  certainly  leads  me  to  accept  of 
an  offer  not  only  so  flattering,  but  which  will  afford  me  an 
opportunity  of  seeing  some  of  those  frien.ls  whom  I  shall 
ever  h.nor  and  l.ve.     Hut  I  cannot  yet  determine  what  I 
^I.all  do.     I  stdl  flatter  myself  that  Divine  Providence  will 
provide  some  worthier  subject  to  be  its  instrument  in  found- 
Jiig  a  chun  h  in  America." 

Vet,  writing  to  Archbishop  Troy,  he  said  :  -  When  the 
<="lMe<-t  ot  an  American  Hishopric  was  first  started.  I  received 
^  Fe.ssing  an  invitation  fn.n.  a  most  respc-table  Catholic 
pent lenian  ,n  England,  that  I  unwarily  promised  to  be  con- 
secrated .„_  h,s  chapel,  if  the  appointment  should  fall  to  n,y 
ot  Ifad  It  l.en  otherwi.^  I  should  have  hesitated  between 
Ireland,  the  land  of  my  forefathers,  and  Cana.la.  though,  on 


IRISH  DOMINICANS. 


365 


the  whole,  I  flatter  myself  that  my  going  to  England  may  be 
attended  with  some  advantages  to  the  cause  of  religion  within 
luy  extensive  diocese."  ' 

Before  embarking  for  England  he  was  rejoiced  by  the  ar- 
rival of  two  Irish  Dominicans  of  merit,  Father  Francis  A. 
FleniMi",  who  had  been  Rector  of  the  Irish  College  at  Lis- 
bon, and  highly  commended  by  the  Pope's  Nuncio'  in  that 
city,  Father  Christoj^her  Y.  Keating,  from  the  same  place, 
and  Rev.  :Michael  Rurke.     Father  Fleming  was  hnmediately 


S^ 


/TCc^y^CC^ 


8IGNAT0RE  OF  FATHER  FRANCIS  A.    FLEMING,  O.P. 


placed  at  Philadelphia,  to  begin  a  ministry  short  in  years 
but  brilliant  in  zeal,  ability,  and  self-devotedness.  Rev.  ^Iv. 
P.urke  replaced  Father  O'Brien  at  Kew  York  during  his  ab- 
sence in  Spanish  America,  and  Dr.  Keating's  services  found 
an  ample  field  near  Philadelphia.  These  Dominican  Fathers 
all  rendered  essential  service  to  religion. 

About  this  time  Cardinal  xintonelli  advised  Bishop  Carroll 
to  receive  no  priest  from  Ireland  who  did  not  come  recom- 
mended  by  Archbishop  Troy,  to  whom    he   subsequently 


'  Rt.  Rev.  T.  Carroll  to  Archbishop  Troy,  July  23, 1790,  in  "  Spicileg. 
Ossor.,"  iii.,  I>P-  507-8. 

'  Nuncio  at  Lisbon  to  Dr.  Carroll,  Li.sbou,  Sept.  4,  1789.  A  change 
had  come  with  the  recent  immigration  from  Ireland.  Hitherto  sermons 
l,ul  been  read  in  the  Ei.Ldish  style,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Molyneux,  writing  to 
I)r  Carroll  mentions  tliat  a  dilTerent  style  was  required,  and  one  for 
which  he  felt  himself  unfitted.  Fathers  Fleming  and  Keating  seem  to 
have  impressed  the  Catholics  and  others  as  pulpit  orators.  Matthew 
Carev  published  in  his  "American  Museum"  (vii.,  p.  177)  an  extract 
„f  a'sermon  delivere.l  by  Rev.  F.  A.  Fleming,  March  17,  1790  ;  and 
iviii.,  p.  112)  an  extract  from  a  sermon  of  Rev.  Thos.  Keating,  Sunday, 
.Vugiist  20,  1790,  both  in  St.  Mary's  church. 


m 


'PI 


■  II 


!       i 


» 


It        'h 


I  i 


I 

ill 


RT.    UEV.    CIIAULES  WAI.ME9LKV,    I>.D.,    V.A..    BISHOP  OF  KAMA. 


(886) 


HE  ACCEPTS  THE  BULLS. 


357 


referred  all  clergymen  from  that  country  who  sought  em- 
ployment in  the  diocese  of  Baltimore.* 

Visiting  Philadelphia  in  the  wiut.-  of  1Y89,  Dr.  Carroll 
gays  •  "  In  this  town  we  have  now  two  very  handsome  and 
llrge  churches,  besides  the  old  original  chapel,  which  was  the 
cn<lle  of  Catholicity  here.    This  serves  for  a  domestic  chapel, 
being  contiguous  to  the  Presbytery  house  ;  and  there  is  more 
consolation  in  it  than  in  the  more  splendid  services  of  the 
other  churches,  for  here  it  is  that  every  day,  and  especially 
0,1  Sundius,  the  sacraments  are  frequented,  etc.    In  the  Pres- 
bytery lumse  lately  built  live  Messrs.  Beeston  and  Graessel 
(a  n.ost  amiable  ex-Tesuit),  and  Mr.  Fleming,  an  Irish  Domin- 
ican lately  from  Dublin,  a  gentleman  of  amiable  manners 
a.ul  temper  and  a  very  excellent  scholar.     Near  to  the  new 
church  lives  *he  above-mentioneu  Capuchin     (Helhron). 

Though  cpially  the  choice  of  Fvo-no  and  of  his  fellow- 
priests  Dr.  Carn.ll  felt  that  his  acceptance  would  entail  care, 
difficulty,  and  trial.     His  private  correspondence  shows  that 
he  dreaded  to  go  on  ;  but  there  seemed  to  be  no  one  else  to 
tike  his  place  at  the  helm  of  the  little  bark  of  the  Church  in 
this  country.     He  decided  to  accept  the  Bulls  and  respond- 
in.,  to  the  invitation  of  Mr.  Weld  he  sailed  to  England  early 
in'the  sumn.er  of  1790,  and  presented  his  bulls  to  the  vener- 
able Benedictine,  the  Right  Rev.  Charles  Walmesley,  Bishop 
of  Rama  and  senior  Vicar-Apo  folic  of  England,  so  eminent 
for  his  vast  mathematical  and  .oientiiic  knowledge  that  gov- 
ernment had  called  upon  his  aid  when  the  Gregorian  Calen- 
dar was  established  in  Great  Britain,  and  whose  Exposition 
of  the  Apocalypse,  issued  under  the  name  of  Signor  Pasto- 
rini,  had  att^uned  great  popularity.     Bishop  Walmesley  con- 


•  Bishop  CnrroU  to  Archbishop  Troy,  Oct.  3.  1790. 
'  Letter  from  Philaddphia,  Dec.  28,  1789. 


'ii\ 


N4I 
'ill 

f 


^ir\. 


nm 


;-(.  r^ 


I- 


(3.18) 


>' 


a 
u 


HIS  CONSECRATION. 


8ff0 


eented  to  act  as  conoecrator,  and  the  solemn  ceremony  took 
place  during'  a  pontiiical  high  mass  in  the  chapel  of  Lulworth 
Castle,  o.»  the  feast  of  the  Assumption,  August  15, 1790,  Our 
1  luly  being  chosen  by  the  founder  of  the  American  Hierarchy 
as  the  patr..nes8  of  his  diocese.     The  princely  Englisli  gen- 
tleman, as  a  publication  of  the  day  remarked,  "  omitted  no 
circumstance  which  could  possibly  add  dignity  to  so  venera- 
ble a  ceremony.     The  two  prelates  were  attended  by  their 
respective  assistant  priests,  the  Rev.  Charles  Plowden  and  the 
Kev.  James  Porter,  and  acolytes,  according  to  the  rubric  of 
the  Roman  Pontifical.     The  richness  of  their  vestments,  the 
music  of  the  choir,  the  multitude  of  the  wax  lights,  and  the 
ornaments  of  the  altar  concurred  to  increase  the  splendor  of 
the  solemnity." ' 


.  The  following  description  of  the  Catholic  Chapel  at  Lulworth  ia  from 
Ilutchins' "  History  of  Dorset " :  ,.,    .      i„ 

In  the  year  1786,  the  fir«t  stone  of  the  present  Chapel,  which  stands 
at  a  snudl  .listance  to  the  South-West  of  the  castle,  was  laid  by  the  pres- 
e„;  possessor  ;  under  which  were  placed  coins  of  the  present  re.gn.  and 
a  nlale  of  brass  with  the  following  inscription  ; 

''■Lapis  sacer  auspicalis  in  f  undamenUv  futuri  temph  jactus  anno 
MDCCLXXXVi,  IV".  nonas  Februarii :  cpiod  templum  Thomas  Weld  pub- 

cc  meo  in  solo  primus  omnium,  mltescente  per  Georgmm  Tertnnn 
Icjum  pVnaUum  Jcerbitate,  in  honorem  Virginia  Beatis8ima=  De.  Gen.- 

^^^^^IfSrC^H-  maxime,  opus  tantis  auspiciis  inchoaU.m 
custodi.  protege,  fove,  ac  confirma,  ut.  ciuaqua  Britannioa  patent  rehgmm 
sanctiE  templa,  adcrescant  templis  cidtores." 

' .  The  Clmpd  is  of  a  circular  form,  increased  by  four  sections  of  a  cir- 
cle so  as  to  form  a  cross,  and  covered  with  a  dome  and  lantern.-I  con- 
t^ns  aw  'i  toned  organ,  a  copy  of  KaphaeVs  Transfiguration  and  two 
ot  r<crpt  md  piece,  lately  brought  from  Italy.-The  angels,  foliage, 
moudingn^d  Ihatever  appea-  to  be  ornament  about  the  altar  are 
ion  which  is  also  all  gilt,  except  the  angels.-The  vase  [under  the 
a  is  mi  piece  of  transparent  alabaster,  of  the  colour  of  amber.  T  e 
;  fl  moVwhich  tl...  urn  and  angels  are  placed  is  of  P-P  j^jy  =  "- 
e  underneath  is  of  a  brilliant  brescia  corallina ;  the  back  part  and  two 

dl  of  the  pace  wherein  the  urn  and  angels  stand  are  of  a  brescia  anti- 


i 


r 

H 


!   I' 


*,!  i. 


•l|-f 


in  I  i 


W'f 


360 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Tl.e  Rev  Charles  I'luwden,  bound  to  Bishop  Carroll  bv 
years  of  holy  frieiuinhip,  preached  the  senuon  ,f  the  dav  'n 
winch  he  dwelt  on  the  fact  that  the  dis,uenaK.n„ent  of  the 
Bntash  e.np,re  i,  .UJIng  .  '  xistence  a  ue.  eu.pire  in  the 
western  worl.'.  tUuugh  , ,  ^  seem  but  the  rc.ult  of  hun  an 
pas..,.  «Lc..ed  the  M-orking  of  divine  Providence  in 
act  that  'ylu  oarhest  a.ui  u.ont  preciou«  fruit  of  it,  h„d  bee, 
^^"  "^^"'^"  "^  '^^^  kingdon,  of  ChriHt,  the  propagation  of 

abcut  UH.  urn.-T.K.  front  a.u.  J^l:^^^'^::^:^^ 
Uie  u.lar-table  are  of  a  rare  and  beautiful  orient.l  rl  ^  '^'^  "''  "' 
.nouldinp,  of  ,ia..o  di  Siena.  T^J^^Z1f  Z ^:^  T] 
pl..n,.  di  s.neraldo.  .t  in  giallo  antico.     TLe  .aali  stc^lTp;.;;;! 


OnOCND  PLAN  OF  CHAPEL  AI  LT     WOUTn  CASTLE. 


uninedrntely  o„  the  alu-r  ,:.ble  is  of  cl.oice  i„ ,  „rella  „.i,..,a  alabaster  _ 
Th.Mloorof  the  talx-rnacle  and  i.8  frame  are  composed  of  a  d.oice  c«l 
k...ou  of  .t..„e«  iHpis  lazuli,  an.ethy.t.  verd.  di    '.rsiea.  bian '.  e  ne  , 


LUL WORTH  CHAl'. 


361 


the  Catholic  religion,  which,  heretofore  fettered  l.y  rcHtrain- 
i„g  laws,  is  now  cnhirge<l  from  iKJudage,  and  is  left  at  liberty 
t„  exert  the  full  energy  of  divine  truth."  ' 

The  tirat  Bishop  of  Buhin.ore  was  thus  duly  consecrated. 
The  event  was  an  omen  of  hope  to  the  Catholics  of  Great 
Britain,  and  their  clergy  ;  a  consolation  to  the  priests  who 
l,a,l  been  u.ombers  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  and,  as  1-ather 
PU.wden  said,  "  honorable  and  cc^mforting  to  Mr.  Weld,  the 
founder  of  the  chai^el,  which  shall  l>e  revered  through  suc- 
reeding  ages,  even  by  churches  yet  utmanied,  as  the  privi- 
leged, the  happy  spot  from  whence  their  episcopacy  and 
hierarchy  took  their  immediate  rise,  and  this  precious  dis- 
tinction will  be  justly  attributed  to  the  protection  and  favor 
..f  the  glorious  Mother  of  God,  wl-  '^^e  house  it  is,  and  through 
whose  patronage  all  Christian  cli      lies  are  founded." 

Bishop  Carroll  always  preserved  a  great  and  pious  venera- 
tion for  thu  day  and  the  place  of  his  consecration.  He  made 
the  day  the  patronal  feast  of  his  diocese,  and  in  time  obtamed 
Bi)ecial  indulgences  for  it  from  the  Sovereign  Pontiff.  Years 
after  he  spoke  in  a  most  touching  manner  of  the  graces  he 
had  '-oceivod  there,  and  of  his  gratitude  to  God  and  our 
I^dy.  show  his  gratitude  to  Mr.  Weld,"  writes  the 

iVU  iJilhet,  "I'-e  had  the  Castle  and  Chapel  of  Lulworth 
.-avc*  at  his  own  expense,  and  on  my  arrival  in  America 
he  sho^'-  me  ■>  impression  with  an  air  of  devotion,  recall- 
ing to  .  hin  .'on-ocration  and  his  duties,  and  with  marks 
of'^esteem  au<'  ..    iichment  to  that  Catholic  family 


n  t 


■  At  the  i-on«;cration  of  Bishop  Carroll,  the  book  of  the  gospels  was 
1„.1.1  over  his  shoulders  by  the  ^  m  of  his  host,  Thomas  Weld,  a  future 
Cardinal.     (Thomas  Weld  to  Bi>u.     Carroll,  February  25,  1811.) 
«  Dilhet  "  Etat  de  I'Eglise  Cathol.-  ue  ou  du  Dioeese  des  Etats  Unis." 
The  eertiflcate  of  the  consecrat  -    .reserved  in  St.  Mary's  Seminary. 
IJaltiraore,  is  as  follows  : 
16 


*m  >H<  t    'VMj 


li-i 


.ymmmf: 


;i 


IlliAIl    h.\TUAM.E    lo   UJAl-tL   AT    LI  l,WOinu    UAHTLE. 


(362) 


' '"'  'JpS 


CERTIFICATE  OF  CONSECRATION. 


803 


The  United  States  now  liiul,  at  lust,  ii  Ciitliolic  Bishop,  hut 
1,^^,  Htood  alone  in  a  foreign  hin<l,  with(.ut  resources  for  his 
pvat  vork;  viewed  politically  hy  many  as  one  of  a  nation 
of  HUceeBsful  rehelc ;  ecelesiiistically  as  nieniher  of  an  order 
struck  down  hy  the  Head  of  the  Church  and  scattered  to  the 
winds.     In  the  city  selected  as  his  episcopal  see,  he  had  no 
diurch  heyond  a  ])lain  hrick  structure  conii)leted  in  ITS!^ ; 
l,is  Huiall  hand  of  priests  was  constantly  thinned  hy  the  hand 
of  death,  and  there  was  no  soiirce  to  which  he  could  look 
t„r  others  to   replace   the  dead.      Though   urged  hy   the 
li,,ly  Soo  to  estuhlish  a  Senunary  he  had  n.)  income,  and 
i„,  one  hut  Providence  t.)  whom  he  could  h)ok  for  his  own 
supi)ort  and  the  immense   task  which   had   heen   imposed 
iip„n  him.     Before  he  left  England,  his  trust  and  ooniidence 
ill  (iod  were  rewarded  hy  two  instances  of  thia  overruling 

guidance. 

J',ishoi)  Carroll  received  the  warmest  invitations  from  his 
irWmU  in  England,  especially  Lord  ArundeU  of  AVardour, 
Mr.  Thomas  Weld,  and  others,  to  i)rolong  his  stay,  hut  he 


•I 


"  lUsce  tefitatiim  fud.nus  Wcvcrcndmn  Dimi  .Icuiinoiu  CnrroU,  rrcsl.y 
tcnun  ml  epi^^coimtuin  nultini()roi.s,..n  clfctum.  lectis  littfris  Aposloheis 
ui.u.l  Sai.ctu.u  Mamiu  .M,ij..r."m  <laliH.  huI.  imnulo  PiscatorU  die  sexta 
Novembris  17H0,  ct  pnvstit.)  prius  ul)  ijiso  Elccl.)  juxla  Pontiticale  Ito- 
;„,,„uin  jurau.cnt.).  assistensibus  U.-v.!..  Carol.)  Plow.lon  ac  r.y.l..  .lacobo 
l.,',,„.r  pnNl.viiris,  l.V  Aujrusti  1790.  sacra  Bcatissimic  \  irKiniH  As- 
su.;.pl.c  .lie  in  temp..)  {'asU-lli  dc  T.ulhv.irtl.  cmilatiis  Dorcestrensis  in 
AiiL'lift  u  n.)biH  in  Kpiscopuin  fninse  .Diis.'.Tatnni. 
"  Dubamus  ud  Castdluin  de  Lulhvorth  .lie  17  AuLtusti  anno  1,90. 

"  4.  CAROLrs  Walmksi.ky,  Epus  HamiUcn. 
Vie"""  Aplieus. 

••  Jjf  ('AROi.rs  Plowden,  sac.  nssisteus. 

"  41  Jacohi's  Poutku.  s!I)    assi.stens. 

"  U.  FouuESTKii.  presbyter  Miss"  Apost"". 

"TuoMAs  Stanley,  sac." 


ill 


V't' 

m 


Mi 


m 


HKIfSfXri^^i^X.  '  '-• 


^-^cr^^^-^f/"^- 


CERTIFICATE  OF  THE  CONSECRATION  OF  BlSnOP  CARROLL. 

[From  ihc  oiiginal  pioAcrved  Id  St.  Mary's  Tbiological  Seminary,  Baltimore.) 


(SM) 


HIS  SEAL. 


365 


felt  that  his  presence  was  needed  in  the  United  States,  where 
so  much  was  to  be  done.' 

Mr  Weld  wrote  :  "  I  shall  always  esteem  myself  happy  in 
every  opportunity  of  giving' you  the  smallest  proof  of  my 
sincere  respect  and  veneration.  I  was  particularly  so  on  he 
hte  occasion  of  your  consecration.  1  shall  look  upon  that 
d.y  as  one  of  the  most  memorable  ones  of  my  life,  and  as  a 
..lorious  one  to  me  and  mine  in  many  respects.     I  own  i  teei 


SEAIi  OF  BISHOP  CAUROLL 

a  sincriilar  comfort  and  satisfaction  in  events  of  that  nature, 
and  anything  that  tends  to  the  good  of  true  Religion  ;  but 
there  were  manv  concurring  circumstances  at  your  consecra- 
tion that  filled\ny  heart  ^vith  feelings  which  words  canno 
express.  Indeed,  I  cannot  recall  them  to  my  mind  without 
creat  sensible  consolations."  _ 

His  pious  letter  enclosed  a  draft  for  the  Seminary  which 
liishop  Carroll  was  about  to  establish.     Donations  for  the 


.  Lord  ArundeU  to  Bishop  C.rroU,  Sept.  '^''•^'^'''^'JllJXv^ 
same.  August  31,  1T90  ;  Thomas  Weld  to  same.  Lulworth  Cast.e.  btpt. 

19,  1790. 


.fill} 


•i^. 


<  i 


366 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


.  ,  ' 


I  if-  '  h 


same  object  came  too  from  other  sources,  encoiiragi„i,  hiu. 
greatly,' 

When  in  England  Bishop  Carroll  adopted  a  seal  for  his 
diocese,  indicating  the  Blessed  Virgin,  selected  as  patroness 
of  his  future  Cathedral,  and  St.  Peter,  to  whom  the  chnrch' 
wliich  was  to  be  his  pro-Cathedral,  was  dedicated.  He  all! 
published  "A  Short  Account  of  the  Establishment  of  the 
Xew  See  of  Baltimore  in  Maryland,"  and  of  his  consecration 
with  the  discourse  on  the  occasion,  a  translation  of  the  Pope's 
Bull,  and  extracts  from  the  BiUs  of  Rights  of  different 
States.' 

Before  leaving  England  he  wrote  to  the  Sovereign  Pontiff 
this  letter,  full  of  lessons  for  all  time  : 

"Most  Holy  J  ather  : 

When  two  months  ago  I  informed  the  Most  EmincMit 
Cardinal  Antonelli  of  my  arrival  in   Europe  to  receive  Epis- 
c.)i)al  consecration,  I  asked  him  kindly  to  place  me  at  your 
Holiness's  feet.  an<l  in  my  name  to  profess  especially  diat, 
although  I  undertook  this  burden  of  the  Episcopacy  with' 
great  fear,  yet  it  afforded  me  no  little  consohiti<.n  that"  I  wm^ 
not  deemed  by  you,  Most  Holy  Father,  utterly  unworthy  of 
so  great  an  office ;  in  the  ne.\t  place,  that  he  would  lay  be- 
fore y..u  my  faith  that  I  would  never,  at  any  time,  fail  i,, 
obedience  and  docility  to  the  Holy  See,  without  which,  as  I 
had  learned  from  Ecclesiastical    History  and  the  doctrine  (,f 
the  Fathers,  faith  and  morals  waver.     Let  me  add,  moreover, 
tliat  I  shall  spare  no  endeavor  that  all  committed  to  my  care' 


'  Bishop  Carroll  to  Uvv.  Charli's  Plr.vvdcn,  Sept.  2,  1700  •    «ume  to 
PekT  Jenkins  Ifolt,  Oct.  2.  1790. 

y.on.lon.  .J.  W.  Cod.lun.  1700;    Ileprinteil  by  the  Ilisforical  Clul, 
Baltimore,  1876. 


LETTER  TO  THE  POPE. 


367 


whether  people  or  pastors,  may  be  actuated  by  the  same  feel- 
ings that  animate  me  towards  the  Holy  See. 

''  To  obtain  this  grace  more  surely,  prostrate  humbly  at  the 
feet  of  your  Holiness,  I  ask  you  to  vouchsafe  to  confer  on 
us  the  Apostolical  benediction. 

"  Most  Holy  Father, 

"  Your  most  obedient  servant  and  son, 
"  -h  John,  Bishop  of  Baltimore. 
"  London,  September  27,  1790."  ' 

"While  still  in  England,  Bishop  Carroll  received  a  letter 
from  Cardinal  Antonelli,  commending  him  for  his  humility 
in  not  wishing  to  wear  the  mitre,  and  encouraging  him  to 
lal)or  with  confidence.  He  announced  a  gratuity  for  three 
years  to  Georgetown  College  from  the  Propaganda,  and, 
alluding  to  the  calumnies  of  La  Poterie  and  Smyth,  urged 
Dr.  Carroll  to  remove  all  suspicion  of  a  dispositi-.  .i  on  his 
part  to  employ  in  the  ministry  priests  who  had  belonged  to 
the  Society  of  Jesus,  in  preference  to  others. 

The  Bishop  of  Baltimore,  on  the  eve  of  his  departure  from 
London,  wrote  that  though  he  had  abundant  material,  in- 
cluding Smyth's  own  letters,  to  refute  the  false  statements  of 
that  person's  pamphlet,  he  had  refrained  from  issuing  any 
answer  at  the  request  of  the  Archbishop  of  Dublin.  In 
regard  to  the  general  management  of  the  Church,  he  ex- 
plained that  when  he  was  appointed,  missions  which  had  from 
their  origin  been  served  by  Fathers  of  the  Society,  were  oc- 
cupied by  priests  who  had  belonged  to  tiiat  order,  and  who 
were  est(^emed  by  their  congregations  :  that  lie  could  not 
justly  remove  theui  merely  to  accommodate  clergynieu  who 
had  but  recently  arrived  in  the  coui-try. 

'  "  Scritte  riferitf,  America  Centralc,"  1770-1790,  vol.  ii. 


'  t 


'W 


368 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


He  stated  that  since  liis  appointment  as  Prefect  he  had  re- 
ceived or  recognized  thirty  priests,  who  were  then  or  had 
subsequently  entered  tlie  United  States,  and  of  these  only 
seven  had  ever  been  in  any  way  connected  witli  tlie  Society 
of  Jesus  ;  and  of  the  seven,  four  were  natives  of  Maryhind, 
who  had  returned  to  labor  in  their  own  State.  He  alluded 
to  the  negotiation  with  the  Priests  of  St,  Sulpice,  as  showin.r 
his  readiness  to  avail  himself  of  the  services  of  really  W(n-tliv 
and  zealous  priests.' 


'  Carilinal  Aiitoiiclli  to  Bishop  Carroll,  August  14.  1790;  Bishop  Cur 
roll's  reply,  Sept.  27,  1790. 


CRrrmX  BROrOHT   from   ROMK  by  rev.  JOHN  CABBOLIi. 


BOOK  II. 

RT.  REV.  JOHN  CARROLL.  D.D.,  BISHOP  OF  BALTI- 
MORE 171)0-1808.- ADMINISTRATOR  OF  LOUISIANA 
1805-1812.-ARCHBISHOP  OF  BALTIMORE  1808-1815. 


CHATTER    I. 


KT.  REV.  JOHN  CARROLL,  D.D.,  BISHOP  OF  BALTIMORE. — AD- 
MINISTRATION 1TIMI-180O,  —  AIU'OINTMENT  OF  A  COAD. 
JUTOR. — RT.    REV.    L.    ORAESSEL. 

Bishop  Carroll  felt  tliat  the  conditiou  of  tlie  Churcli  in 
the  United  States  forbade  aiy  unnecessary  dehiy  iu  England  ; 
and,  ucclining  the  kind  and  nrgent  invitations  of  old  and 
valued  friends  like  Lord  Arundell  of  Wardour  and  Lord 
Petre,  evei.  one  to  revisit  Lulworth  Castle,  the  very  thought 
of  which  filled  his  heart  with  holy  and  generous  emotions, 
he  embarked  at  (.Ti-avesend,  on  the  8th  of  October,  in  the 
same  vessel  on  which  he  had  come  to  England.  After  a 
stormy  and  disagreeiible  passage  he  reached  Baltimore  on  the 
7th  of  December.' 

When  the  arrival  of  the  ship  was  annou!iced,  a  large  body  of 
Catholics  proceeded  to  the  landing,  and  as  soon  as  the  Bishop 
(ii.-,embarked  they  escorted  him  to  his  house.     The  next  Sun- 


'  >{--th  while  jroiii!,'  aiiil  whik'  rcturiiiij:  (iisliop  Curnill  had  as  fellow 
pn'-  •  ',vr  Dr.  Madison,  who  wi'iit  lo  En<!;laiul  to  he  consi'ciati'd  by 
liisliojis  of  tlie  t:hurch  of  Enghuul  as  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Bishop  of 
Virijiiiia. 

IG*  (369) 


VH< 


^■^^  \^nr:->^* 


^^ILIiJ^ 


BALTlMORi:, 


(370) 


'enorS^uarrlotidort. 


I 


HIS  INSTALLATION. 


371 


day  St.  Peter's  church  was  thronged.  Five  priests,  with  the 
trustees  of  tlie  church,  received  the  Bishop  of  Baltimore  at 
the  door,  and  escorted  him  to  the  Sanctuary,  where  he  re- 
ma,,  ^^d  at  the  foot  of  the  altar  while  the  Te  DEUMwas  sung. 
Then  he  was  conducted  to  the  pontifical  throne,  where  he 
received  the  oheisjuice  of  the  clergy  and  of  some  of  the  laity, 
who  approached  and  kissed  his  ring.  He  then  celebrated  a 
poutitical  mass,  in  which  he  gave  his  solemn  benediction  and 
proclaimed  indulgences  in  the  form  prescribed. 

In  the  address  which  he  delivered  on  this  occasion,  after 
he  showed  how  great  and  irrevocable  the  duties  which  had 
been  imposed  on  him  and  the  awful  responsilnlity,  he  said  : 

"  In  this,  my  new  station,  if  my  life  be  not  one  continued 
instruction  and  example  of  virtue  to  the  people  connnittcd  to 
iiiv  charge,  it  will  become,  in  the  sight  of  God,  a  life  not  only 
useless,  but  even  pernicious. 

"  It  is  no  longer  enough  for  mo  to  be  inoffensive  in  my 
conduct  and  regular  in  my  manners.     God  now  imposes  a 
severer  duty  upon  me.     I  shall  incur  the  guilt  of  violating 
my  pastoral  office,  if  all  my  endeavors  be  not  directed  to 
bring  your  lives  .ud  all  your  actions  to  a  conformity  with 
the  laws  of  God  ;  tv^  c:  i  ort,  to  conjure,  to  reprove,  to  enter 
into  all  your  sentiments ;  to  feel  all  your  infirmities ;  to  be 
all  things  to  all,  that  I  may  gain  all  to  Christ ;  to  be  superior 
to  human  respect  ;  to  have  no  lung  i.i  vicu'  Imt  God  and 
your  salvation  ;  to  sacrifice  to  these  ..eJth,  peace,  n^putation, 
"and  even  life  itself ;  to  hate  sin,  and  y."t  '.^ve  tiio  siinit-T  ;  to 
repress  the  turbulent ;  to  encourage  tht  ii  iiid  ;  to  watch  over 
the  conduct  of  even  the  ministers  of  religion  ;  to  be  i^atient 
and  meek  ;  to  embrace  all  kinds  of  persons  ;  these  are  now 
my  duties— extensive,  pressing,  and    indispensable   duties; 
these  are  the  duties  of  all  my  brethren  in  the  episcopacy, 
luul  surely  important  enough  to  fill  us  with  terror.     But 


M 


'  '  E 


^  : 


lii  41. ii. 


872 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CAKROLL. 


.e.o  arc  „  l,er.  s,i|,  ,„„^,  |,„„|„,„„„„  ,„  ^„^ 
tl.«  parn.„k,r  ,,,„■«.„,  „f  Ol.rUV  ,,l,urc.|,  „l,i,.|,  '    ' 

««  my  cl,arse,  a„cl  wl.ero  evmtl,  ,  "  """'"'"cl 

depend  „„  5,„ei,„  „„.,  „u  J,^     «       J^  '^fj  ";' '<;*'- 
pL  "  t   r     ,"''"■  ""•'■•"""""*-'  "'-■  »■■  ail  «.les   „. 

:;;r;::xr:L:r:;;,tr ''""''"' ----^ 

to  r    1        ,  rt"li<r,on.s  as  equally  acceptal^lt, 

to  (t<m1  and  saliitarv  to  men      AJ.  f  ,..i        r  .     ^    '  "^ 

-.i..na^,,,,..  ,.,,,,„,„-,  :^:;;X;;;;--e. 

of  terror  wl„el,  cc,,,,™  „,«,„  ,-,.    ,„  «, ,,  „,„„^,  ^,_„     '  ^- 

::";;;"""'■ "°  '"""■'  ''^ "'«"  *i'«  ■  >■»- 1-.. .!  . 

*■  "'",    '"I""-'-"    *" »...l    l.„w  ,„„c.|,    I   l,„ve  al 

i-.,ic,  ,..  r„  will  ,„„  „,,„.,„„  „„  „„,„^  j';«  ";■;^ 

V...,  .,<  „vll  ,  ,/  '  l"""*l""ent  »„„M  fall  „„ 

■       ■'         ,  ";  ""  "'.v»elf ;  my  m,laltl,f„i,K»,  w.nil.l  r..l,„„„l 
on  ,vo„  a„,l  deprive  ,o„  „f  ^,„e  „,  .,„  ,„„„„  ,,. ,,;,'.:' 
I  ann,.,,. v,,,..,n,i.  di„,,^  ,,,,„.._,  • 

<«;,;;;'•"''', -•  ■•«  "■-'- '- p.-o.e,.,i.„,,  „» .  : 


THE  ONEIDA  BISHOPRIC. 


373 


Tl.e  consecration  and  inBtallation  of  Bishop  Carroll  were 
coeval  witli  a  strange  pn,ject  to  erect  an  episcopal  see  in  tlie 

State  of  New  York. 

AViiile  the  Church  was  sic  >  >y  gaining  a  permanent  tooting 
in  the  cities  of  that  State,  there  was  an  attempt  to  establish 
,  French  mission,  and,  strangest  of  all,  a  Bishop  among  the 
Oneida  Indians,  which  forms  one  of  the  curious  episodes  m 

our  history.  .         /■   -c        „ 

lu   December,   1775,  Peter  Penet,  a  native  of   France, 
l,,ided  at  Providence  from  St.  Domingo,  and  made  propo- 
sals to  General  Washington  and  to  Congress  to  supply  the 
colonies  with  arms  and  ammunition.     He  made  some  impres- 
sion on  them  and  went  to  France,  but  being  without  means, 
never  rendered  any  real  service,     lie  was  subsequently  en- 
gaged in  other  schemes.     In  1783  he  is  described  as  a  mer- 
chant in  Philadelphia,  but  four  years  after  was  trading  with 
the  Oneidas,  over  whom  he  acquired  great  influence,  the  In- 
dians believing  him  to  be  an  ambassador  to  them  from  the 
Kiti-  of  France.     By  means  of  a  pretended  dream  be  o\>- 
tiined  from  the  tribe  a  grant  of  ten  miles  square,  winch  the 
Sfite  of  New  York  confirmed.     He  also  induced  the  tril^e  to 
applv  to  the  French  Minister  at  New  York  for  a  priest,  ami 
a  li^v  Mr.  Pcrrot  arrived  there  in  1789.     The  French  :SI.n- 
ister  re-piested  the  Oneidas  to  receive  him  kindly,  give  him 
a  glebe  of  three  hundred  acres,  clear  a  field,  and  budd  a 

house.  X  T  1     r>     •  In 

The  Eev  Mr.  Perrot  took  up  his  residence  at  Lake  Uneida, 
and  remained  there  for  some  time,  engaged  from  the  outset 
in  a  struggle  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland  As  t.,  what  he 
accomplished  in  reviving  the  earlier  teachings  of  Catholic 
missionaries  we  know  nothing.' 


^  Hough,  "  Notices  of  Peter  Penet,  a.ul  of  his  OpcnUions  among  Uie 


-,"1    •In'-j. 


*!■?, 


c\  :< 


'\i' 


iiii. 


tm 


mm, 

iSi  ; 


A'i  8 


I      i 


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374  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL, 

But  in  ny(.  on.  Joan  <le  la  M..,l.otiero,  profes«in..  to  be  the 
agent  of  the  Ondda  Iruliai.H,  whon.  ].e  re,,re.ente<l  .    ,  „,, 
tion  occ-upvin^r  a  ^^reat  territory  between  the  United  Sta  ' 
and  Canada,  addressed  a  petition  to  Pope  Pi«8  VI.,  and  for 
warded  it  to  the  .\uneio  at  Pans,  asking  the  e«tabli«b,nent  of 
a  Pi,sho,,  at  Oneida.     "  We  have  built  a  ehnrch,"  he  ga^      ■  „. 
the  Cty  of  Oneida,  we  have  provided  it  with  sacred  ^es^.|. 
bellH  books  and  everything  necessary  for  divine  service,"  and 
he  asks  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  to  conlirm  "the  Kev   Job 
Loms  Vietor  I^  Tonnelier  de  C\.ulonges,  a  n.an  f.dl  of  n,ei 
aml^nod  works,  wh  n.  the  Oneida  nation  and  the  chiefs  of 
tlio  Six  Nations  have  nominated  Pishop  of  Oneida  and  Pri 
n.ate  of  the  Six  Nations,  and  j.resented  to  vour  Holiness  in 
that  quality  :  he  has  ex|K.nded  at  least  two-thirds  of  his  fu, 
tune  HI  works  of  religion  and  benevolence;  he  has  obtained 
of  the  One.da  nation  the  expulsion  of  the  Episcopalian  and 
J  resbytenan  ministers,  as  they  have  no  Ioniser  a.nong  them 
e.ther  du.rch  or  Hock."     This  Bishop  was  to  take  six  Canu- 
cuns  with  hun  as  soon  as  he  was  appointe<l.     But  thou'-di 
tins  application  was  transmitted  through  the  Xuncio  at  Paris 
with  a  Latin   .,.titio„  of  the  Oneida  nation  signed  by  the 
chiefs  of  th"  W.if,  Turtle,  and  the  Bear  families,  the  mag. 
nihcent  s.:'b'.;iiit;  aas  never  realized.' 


Ond.la  Lulians,  induding  a  plan  prepared  !.y  him  f<,r  tl.e  government  „f 
V    p  "ll'    '^""""^''  '"'''  '"'•  '''  '''  ''  •  ^'-^•>-'  "^^-"-'  >lu"cun;." 

'  Petition  of  ( )„ei.ia8  for^var.led  by  Jean  de  la  MuL„tit^re  ;  I.,.tter  of  ti.e 

W..,.  August  2,  1790;  Latin  s«pp,i™tion  of  the  Oneida  nation  f     I 

n.sh.  p.      Arelnves  of   the   Propaganda.      The   nan.es   signed  to  thes^ 

";•--'  rvtmons  eoinei,le  with  nan.e,,  in  Penefs  Plan  of  O  ve  ntn^^ 

>"I  then.  ,s  no  .Ine  to  decide  whether  one  or  two  priests  were  n     J 

here.     Ilou.h,  who  sp<.nt  some  tin.e  investigating  I>e  efs  aetrsay    t    J 

I  U-v.  Mr.  Perrot  left  before  17(«,    The  whol.  alTaIr  is  e.xtr,    r  linary  Id 

the  prtest  probably  learned  that  he  hud  bc-eu  duped  by  at^^d  e    u'er 


THE  FIRST  CATHOLIC  BIBLE.  H75 

One  result  of  tin      evoluti  n  was  the  freedciu  of  th 
BO  tl-Ht  C  all.  >lu  lit.   ature  c.       be  ditTuscl  tlirougbu, 
country,  and  tin-      itUful  auppiu-d  with  books  of  devot 
and,  m  case  of  necessity,  the  doctrines  of  the  Church  could 
bo  dofeuiliHl  when  assailed. 

The  publication  of  ath.-lic  books  in  this  country,  begun 
.dnmst  by  stealth,  as  we  have  seen,  in  colonial  days,  was 
taken  up  more  openly  after  the  rupture  with  Great  Britain. 
G  Talb.  .1  Iwokseller  from  Dublin,  was  appa  ntly  t^  >  farst  to 
enter  ...  the  career  of  a  Catholic  publii^her,  isnuing  ar>  edition 
of  Reeve'.  "History  of  the  Bible,"  from  Ms  m 

Front  Street,  Philadelphia,  in  1784;   and   '•  'thohc 

Christian  Instructed,"   in  1780.     MolyneuvV  ,.,  .n  on 

the  ,  >     ''  of  Father  Farmer"  was  printed  t  me  year; 

Aitkins'  "Compilation  of  the  Litanies  and  Vespers"  ^> 
peared  in  17H7;  and  two  years  later  "The  Unerring  Au- 
thority of  atholic  Faith  "  was  printed  for  T  Lloyd  : 
and  "The  r,  ■  Principles  of  a  Catholic,"  also  in  1.81),  by 
Matthew  Car.v.  At  this  time  the  last-named  able  and  ener- 
getic man,  already  publishing  a  general  magazine  called 
"  The  American  Museum,"  announced  on  the  26th  January, 
1789,  his  intention  of  publishing  a  quarto  Cathohc  Bible,  at 
the  price  of  six  dollars. 

The  BislH.p-elect  and  his  clergy  became  patrons  of  the 
Bible,  receiving  subscriptions  for  the  work,  Rev.  Char les 
Sewell  at  Baltimore;  Rev.  J..hn  Ashtoii  at  Whitemarsh; 
Rev.  Thomas  Digges,  Mellwood,  Md. ;  Rev.  Robert  Moly- 
neux,  Bohemia;  Rev.  Leonard  Neale  and  Rev.  Mr  Doyle  at 
Port  Tobacco ;   Rev.  Ignatius   Matthews,  Rev.  Augustine 
Jenkins,  and  Rev.  John  Boarman,  N-wtowu;  Rev.  Henry 
Pile,  Newport,  Md. ;  Rev.  James  W.lton,  St.  Inigoes ;  Rev. 
Francis  Beeston,  Rev.  Lawrence  v .  raessel,  and  Rev.  Thomas 
Keating,  Philadelphia ;  Rev.  James  Pellentz,  York  County, 


■ 


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IMAGE  EVALUAYION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sdences 
Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  145S0 

(716)  872-4503 


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376  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

Pa.;  and  Rev.  William  O'Brien,  Kew  York.  The  public, 
tion  was  begun  in  parts  on  the  12th  of  December,  1789  •  b«t 
lus  plan  was  soon  abandoned,  and  it  was  issued  complete  i„ 
two  volumes  of  487  and  490  pages,  soon  after  Bishop  Ca " 
roll  s  reU,rn,  on  the  first  of  December,  1790,  the  first  English 

It  was  a  great  undertaking  for  the  little  body  of  Catholics 
at  that  t„ne  and  remains  a  n.ost  creditable  monument  te  the 
zeal  and  public  spirit  of  Matthew  Carey.' 

This  Bible  was  a  reprint  of  the  edi'tion  of  the  Venerable 
Bishop  Challoner's  revision  issued  in  1763-4 

The  Church  in  the  United  States,  after  passing  through 
grea    and  senous  dangers  which  menaced  it  with^compk^te 

Btituted  episcopal  see,  and  a  Bishop,  chosen  by  his  feliow- 
pn.^  duly  appointed  by  the  Sovereign  Pontiff,  and  coni 
mted    n  confonmty  with  the  rules  of  the  Catholic  Church. 
The  Catholic  body  in  the  United  States  were  thus  in  a  bet  e 
position  than  their  fellow-believers  in  England,  who  sUl     e 
mamed  under  the  direction  of  Vicars-ApoLlic. 
The  siu-yivors  of  the  old  body  of  the  clergy,  who  had 

•ncnt  of  a  \  icar-Apostohc,  became  the  nucleus  for  the  future 

B^liogn.phiea>  Account  of  cj^^ uZ.^^J^'^^^^^''^'  "^ 
'•^bhopraphia  Catholica  Americana."  New  York  m2  nn  Jt'    •  " 

•lence.  the  Bible  of  ISOI  IwinV  ,    '  ^  ™"''*  "^"'"^'''J^  °^^"^  ^re- 

Bible.  In fJ:i[:2^:7^zirs:::' t.^"^' '-^ ^-"-"'^ 

ton.  only  by  sending  my  prandfXr-;   «n '  T^^'\  ^'■''™0'*  "^  ^^o.- 


I 
t] 
a 
a 


A  SULPITIAN  SEMINARY. 


377 


American  clergy.  But  tbey  were  fast  dwindling  away,  and 
the  isolated  priests  arriving  from  abroad,  differed  from  them 
and  from  each  other  in  training,  ideas  of  discipline,  ritual, 
and  varied  in  theological  views  and  their  system  of  parochial 

The  Church  in  the  United  States,  however,  could  not  long 
depend  on  an  uncertain  supply  of  priests  from  Europe. 
Sound  poUcy  required  the  fostering  of  vocations  in  the  new 
diocese,  and  an  institution  for  training  young  l^^^t^^  J^*';^ 
learning  and  in  the  true  spirit  of  the  priest  of  God  «  holy 
Church     But  where  was  the  newly-consecrated  Bishop  to 
find  men  or  means  to  found  such  an  establishment  ?    Provi- 
dence provided  both.    The  Rev.  Mr.  de  Saint  Felix,  Superior 
of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Toulouse,  impelled  by  the 
Bigns  of  the  coming  war  on  religion,  wrote  to  Rev,  Mr 
Emery,  Superior-General  of  the  Company  of  St.  Sulpice  at 
Paris,  that  prudence,  it  seemed  to  him,  dictated  the  found- 
ing of  an  establishment  in  some  other  country.     The  idea 
was  approved  by  Rev.  Mr.  Emery  and  his  associates  m  the 
Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice,  one  of  whom.  Rev.  Mr.  Galais, 
snccested  that  the  Seminary  should  be  f  ,anded  at  Galhpohs, 
wSe  many  emigrants  from  France  at  that  time  proi>osed  to 
settle     The  Pope's  Nuncio  at  Paris,  Cardinal  Dugnani,  had 
broader  views  ;  he  called  the  attention  of  Mr.  Emery  to  the 
erection  of  the  See  of  Baltimore,  and  the  presence  of  the  tirst 
Bishop  at  that  very  time  in  England.     The  Superior  of  St. 
Sulpice  accordingly  addressed  Bishop  Carroll,  and  the  Isuncio 
supported  his  letter,"  which  urged  the  Bishop  to  proceed  to 
Paris  in  order  to  confer  with  some  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the 
Semhiarv  of  St.  Sulpice,  who  wished  to  devote  their  experi- 
ence and  services  gratis  to  the  education  of  young  men  for 


( 


.1 


I  Archbishop  of  Rhodez  to  Right  Rev.  John  Carroll.  August  24.  1790. 


mm 


378  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

the  prieetl.ood  in  America.     It  would  appear,  however  th.f 
th.  generous  offer  did  not,  at  fi.t,  irnprerDk  Carrrve; 
favorably,  as  he  wrote  for  further  infonnation,  and  perh  p^ 
feanug  persond  annoyance  from  the  French  government   ! 
a  JesuU  a  ready  expelled  fron.  that  kingdom,  L  deled  Z 
go  to  Pans .■    As  Rev.  Mr.  de  St.  Felix  would  not  underLe 
o  carry  out  the  project  which  he  had  himself  proposed,   L 
eneraue  Snpenor  of  St.  Sulpice,  who  had  taken  up  tie 
matter  too  earnestly  to  be  deterred  by  obstacles,  dispatch  d 
Rev.  ln.nc,s  Charles  Nagot  to  London  to  con  er  with  tie 
B-shop  of  Baltimore.     This  learned  and  able  Sulpirn  ^! 
ready  well  advanced  in  years,  but  his  zeal  for  the  salvatl 

cnce  1  D.  Carroll  vanished  when  he  met  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kagot 
He  frankly  exposed  his  utter  poverty  and  want  of  all  rt 

ZIT:      I    r  '""^'   '''''  '°^^^^«*  ^'«^    ^-   --^ted    n 

Americ!    '  '''"  '"^  ^"^''^  ''^"^  ''  ^^""^  ^  «---''  in 
"  We  arranged  all  preliminaries,"  wrote  Bishop  Carroll 
a..d  I  expect  at  Baltin.ore  early  i„  the  sunnner  so  ne  of  the 
gentkMnen  of  that  Institution  to  set  hand  to  work;  and  I 
have  reason  to  believe  they  will  find  means  to  carry  their 
plan  mto  effect.     Thus  we  shall  be  provided  with  a  house  fi 
for  the  reception  of  and  further  improvement  in  the  higher 
sc.e.,ces  of  the  young  men  whom  God  may  call  to  an  Eccll 
aiasfcal  state,  after  their  classical  education  is  finished  in  o^ 
GeorgctoM-n  Academy.     While  I  cannot  but  thank  Divine 
I  rovulence  for  opening  on  us  such  a  prospect,  I  feel  great 


REV.  FRANCIS  C.  NAGOT. 


379 


sorrow  in  the  reflection  that  we  owe  such  a  benefit  to  the  dis- 
tressed state  of  Religion  in  France."  '  ,  „     c  i 
On  Mr.  Nagot's  return  to  Paris,  the  Superior  of  St.  bul- 
pice  selected  those  who  were  to  found  the  Seminary  at  Balti- 
more.    Others  volunteered,  including  some  young  students 
in  the  Seminary.     The  colony  was  composed  of  the  Rev 
Francis  C.  Nagot  as  Superior ;  Rev.  Mr.  Levadoux,  who  had 
been  Director  of  the  Seminary  of  Limoges;  Rev.  John 
Tessier  former  Director  of  the  Seminary  of  Viviers ;  Rev. 
Anthony  Gamier,  former  Director  of  the  Seminary  of  Lyons 
with  Mr.  Montdesir,  Messrs.  Tulloh  and  Floyd,  natives  of 
England ;  Caldwell,  an  American,  and  Periuault,  a  Canadian, 
as  Seminarians.     The  Rev.  Mr.  Delavau,  canon  of  St.  Martin 
of  Tours,  who  proposed  to  reside  in  America  till  calm  was 
restored  to  France,  joined  their  party. 

Having  chartered  an  American  vessel  at  St.  Malo,  whence 
they  sailed  April  8,  1791,  they  took  as  passenger  the  famous 
Chateaubriand,  then  a  young  man  of  twenty.  The  vesse 
was  nearly  wrecked  on  leaving  the  port,  and  was  detairM  I 
more  than  two  weeks  in  the  Channel.  During  the  long  voy- 
age high  mass  was  sung  on  board  every  Sunday  by  Canon 
Delavau,  the  rest  receiving  communion  r^.  his  hands.  Atter 
long  delay  the  vessel,  managed  by  an  unskilful  captain,  came 


FACSIMILES  OF  SIONATimES  OF  REV.  F.  C.  NAGOT  AND  REV.  J.  A.  EMERY. 


bv  the  wav  of  the  Azores  and  St.  Pierre  de  Miquelon,  and 
reached  Baltimore  on  the  10th  of  July,  1791.     The  Rev. 


Bishop  Carroll  to  Lord  Arundell,  London,  October  4,  1790. 


•I  .  ..f 


.'.IS 


m 


;]8o 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


m 


Cliarlos  Sewall,  in  the  absence  of  the  Bishop  conduotPrl  f  1 
to  a  ho«.e  Ko.  0.  i..,ti.„ore  Street,  sinee^e:!^'     t^ 
opcung  of  .Vorth,  then  called  Belvidere  Street  ^ 

Announcing  to  his  flock  in  An.erica  the  e'oming  of  the 
!M.lp.tians,  Bishop  Carroll  wrote :  "  I  propose  iixin.  M 
ver,  near  to  u.y  own  ho.ne,  the  Cathedril  o7m:.I/,:: 

tribute  to  the  d.gnitj  of  divine  worsln-p.     This  is  a  i>rp..f       . 

R  V  AI    5T'    "■      "  !""'  °'  '""■•  "™'  «"  '"'-i.  and 
J'i>.  Jlr.  J\„g„t  soon  iiurclmml  il  for^Kll)  M„.,i     ■ 

tl  c  -ll(i,  of  J„|y,  a  ro„,„  „„  ,1,3  ^^,,j  ^ 
flttc.1  ..p  ns  a  cLapcl,  „,„,  ,,,„,«,j  ,     n^,,  j,        J^  '»  ° 
deilioatcl  it  to  tl,c  Elesscl  Virsii,  Jhrv  ■ 
On  the  2!.,1,  of  Mav,  ,  7,«,  „,e  UeV:  ,f«..  an-o„i„o.,„ 

The  a,lv™t  of  ,„d,  a  n„„,Wr  „,  ,,„„,„],  ,„•„„,,  .„,,  e,ne. 
nencoJ  ,,„.st.  w,«  of  in„„c.„«  i„„«„a„ce  to  the  ChnrA 

■  m»l...r  I  „rr„ll  i„  BH„„  „,  Q„,  «    ,-«,     T     . 

ll.oli.lM  o,i  ,l„  l,i„c.w  ,1,,  Klat,  l„i,'        "   w     i  I  W~IV 

Q..,*,  „f  III.I,,,,,  B,„,t.  ,„  |„,|.,.  „       ■  ".V  ■"'   I'™"'-.  H'Pli™  I., 
".l-I.Jr..  .!,■  IEsli„  a  l„  tia  ,|a  x,V.  ^vj;  If,'  "'"",'":"  I"""  "■"''  4 


I 


II 


^  i4: 


■firj 


(381) 


i.  1 


ItfjQit^tj^  rtC-  -r>:::t:<--::>'^ 


-'^VLO^KierKRWft- 


f'H 


J  .hi 

m 


IK 


382 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


The  Seminary  could  not  cive  eninlovin^nf  t^    i] 

aoimry  life  i„  ,1,^  u„i,^^  g^j^^  """'"I"  »'  l"» 

The  Profeeh,ro.A,«.t„lic  ,m,lor  rt,„  r        ,j„^    _ 

ol.l  E,,j;l,.|,  coIoiim;  but  no  act  of  ,l,n  ,,  ,  ™'°7  "' '!'» 
.;.e  I«..,op  of  Q„e.oe  „f  «,„  .:1"„V  "  Setett:' 
the  country  northwest  of  the  Ohio  •  nr  fl      !',''''  ^'''^^ 

-'•ole  territory  inclnded  in  tl  edited  s^^  ^^^^^^ 
was  referred  to  Rome  -md  f  1..  S         ,  r.  ''*'  '"""^''" 

a.a„da  Fide  on    h     29      dtw  fT     ^'''"^""'" '*^  ^^^^^^ 
whole  territory  o   the  U  it  7^f  .'"""•'  '''''  ^'"^^'^  *''« 

of  Bishop  Carllld!^^*  "  ""'"  *^"^^  ^'^^'^-^ 

prelates  ■     tC;    V       ""  ""'  ^*^  «"  ^''"'"'"^  of  the  other 
I  Uates.      Detro,t,  and  a  considerable  part  of  Michigan  and 

American,  subjccti.  non  ad"  uc  [^10.?  in  r"'  ""i  ""■'  ^''-■''-'"<"" 
<lttcti.  '"""^  '^'"™  'n  fornmin  Proviuciaj  sunt  re- 

S8-"  Dominus  Xoster  Pius  Pont  vr    i    i 
omnesChristifidde.,.  .  .      noriri,.  P  T''' '^''' '  ^•'"^'"bri.s  1780 
«<-l  otiam  in  alii.s  flnitimis  ext  a  nr^vri '  J"^''*^"'-"'''"  Amorioa,  Provinciis 

I).crcesi8  Episcopo  hucu  1^1^  subS  fi  """"y"  """^  ^»J»«-unu,uo 
B,^i.no.n.  ..,ee..  .ore  i.  ^^0.^^:^-:-"'  ^'''^-- 
Datum  KouiK 29  Jan'"  1791. 

L.  Card.  Antonellcs,  Praf-. 


THE  CARMELITE  NUNS. 


888 


«o,ne  of  Ohio,  was  BtiU  claimed  by  England  as  part  of  Can- 
a,h  •  and  Spain  claimed  Natchez  as  territory  wrested  from 
the  British  in  war.  Until  the  United  States  acquired  posse^ 
.ion  at  these  points  Dr.  Carroll's  authority  was  not  exercised 

^''America  was  to  be  blessed  also  with  a  connnunity  of  clois 
tered,  contemplative   nuns.     To  the  worldly,  such  a  body 
,night  seem  a  burthen  rather  than  an  aid  to  a  strngghng 
Church      Not   such  was  the  judgment  of  Bishop  Carroll. 
Pious  Catholics  in  Maryland  had  solicited  the  Carmelite  nuns 
of  Antwerp  to  found  a  house  of  their  order  at  Port  Tobacco. 
BiHhop  Carroll  gladly  favored  the  establishment  <.f  a  com- 
,nunity  intended  solely  for  prayer,  and  for  imploring  the 
happy  success  of  the  American  mission  and  the  propagation 
of  the  Catholic  faith  in  this  New  World. 

When  the  Catholics  near  Port  Tobacco  forwarded  to  the 
Convent  at  Antwerp  their  re(iuest  for  a  branch  of  that  ven- 
erable community,  which  dates  back  almost  to  St.  Teresa  her- 
self having  been  founded  by  Mother  Anne  of  the  Ascension, 
only  thirty-seven  years  after  the  death  of  the  illustrious  re- 
viver of  the  Carmelite  order,  the  Bishop  of  Antwerp  ad- 
dressed a  letter  to  Bishop  Carroll,  and  the  newly  appointed 
Bishop  of  Baltimore  readily  gave  his  consent.     Rev.  Charles 
Neale  selected  four  nuns,  one  from  the  Mother-house  at  Ant- 
werp, Mother  Clare  F.  Dickinson,  and  three  from  the  con- 
vent at  Ilogstraet,  Reverend  Mother  Bernardina  ISIathews, 
Superior  of  that  house,  and  her  nieces  Aloysia  and  Eleonora 
Mathews.     They  left  Europe  April  9,  1790,  and  after  a  tem- 
pestuous vovage  landed  at  Mr.  Robert  Brent's,  near  Port  To- 
bacco    Rev.  Charles  Neale  had  given  the  little  community 
a  farm  belonging  to  him,  but  as  it  had  not  a  buihling  suited 
to  the  wants  of  the  nuns,  they  exchanged  it  for  property  be- 
longing to  Mr.  Baker  Brooke,  who  had  just  erected  a  large 


i\ 


'^. ' 


PORTUAIT   OF   MOTIIEH   FRANCES  DICKINSON 

(»84) 


'    f! 


CONVENT  AT  PORT  TOBACCO. 


385 


Ijouse.  Here  the  coinimmity  organized,  taking  pofisession  on 
tlio  15th  of  October.  Father  Charles  Neale  gave  them  also 
£1,370  coming  to  him  from  his  parentw.  Mother  liernardina 
Mathews  was  the  first  Superior,  and  directed  this  little  com- 
munity of  contemplative  nuns  till  her  happy  death,  June  12, 
1800.    By  their  severe  rule  these  CarmeUte  nuns  are  re- 


j{       jOcC^o^  Jc 


FACBIMn^E  OF  THE  BIONATCRK  OF  MOTHKIl  FllANCEB  DICKINSON. 

(piired  to  recite  the  Divine  Office  in  choir,  and  to  fast  eight 
months  in  the  year ;  to  abstain  from  flesh  meat,  except  in 
case  of  sickness ;  to  wear  woolen  clothes,  and  to  sleep  on 
straw.  Rigid  as  the  rule  is,  delicate  Indies  who  have  entered 
the  community  have  lived  to  an  advanced  age. 

The  convent  prospered  for  a  time,  supported  mainly  by 
the  produce  of  their  farm  ;  devoted  to  the  exercises  of  their 
rule,  guided  in  spiritual  matters  and  aided  in  their  temporal 
concerns  by  their  pious  founder.  Rev.  Charles  Nealo." 

Bishop  Carroll,  thinking  that  in  the  condition  of  affairs  in 
the  United  States  the  Carmelites  could  render  great  service 
by  opening  an  Academy  for  young  persons  of  their  own  sex, 
represented  the  matter  to  the  Sovereign  Pontiff,  and  the  Car- 
dinal Prefect  of  the  Propaganda  replied  that  it  gave  His 
Holiness  incredible  joy  to  find  that  they  had  gone  to  Amer- 
ica to  diffuse  the  knowledge  and  practice  of  religious  perfec- 
tion ;  and  he  added  that,  considering  the  great  scarcity  of 
laborers  and  the  defects  of  education  in  the;-,  'tates,  they 
might  sacrifice  that  part  of  their  institution  to  liie  promotion 


'  Memoir  on  the  Carmelite  Convent,  prepared  in  1844  for  Bishop  Fen- 
wick  of  Boston. 
17 


i 


J    .i'l, 


•'  >i 


4'- '  tf 


iK  i 


J  4i 


l!WE3»*>B^f?^> 


886 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


of  a  greater  good,  and  Bishop  Carroll  was  directed  to  encour- 
age them  to  undertake  it.' 

The  CaruieliteH,  however,  were  loth  to  Hwerve  from  the 
rule  under  which  they  had  lived,  and  did  not  avail  theniHelvcH 
of  the  iKjrniiHHion.  The  Bishop  himself,  tniii.ed  to  a  relig- 
ioii.s  life,  and  feeling  as  the  great  hlow  of  his  life  the  decree 
which  exiled  him  from  it,  could  not  press  these  pious  wom- 
en to  a<lopt  a  course  repugnant  to  them,  for  ho  regarded 
the  community  "  as  a  safeguard  for  the  preservation  of  the 
diocese." ' 

The  diocese  of  Baltimore,  comprising  the  whole  actual  ter- 
ritory of  the  United  States  at  that  period,  the  country  east  of 
the  Mississippi  River,  except  Florida,  had  now  a  Bishop  in 
the  person  of  the  Right  Rev.  John  Carroll,  with  his  See  at 
Baltimore,  and  a  body  of  clergy  comprising  about  thirtv- 
five  priests.     There  were  Catholic  churches  at  lialtimore, 
Philadelphia,  New  York,  Boston,  Charleston  ;  at  St.  Inigoos, 
Newtown,  Newport,  Port  Tobacco,  Rock  Creek,  Annapolisi 
Whitemarsh,   Bohemia,   Tuckahoe,   Deer  Creek,  Frederick, 
llagerstov.n,  and  some  minor  stations  in  Maryland  ;   Lfin- 
caster,    Conewago,    (Joshenhojipen,    Elizabethtown,    York, 
Reading,     Carlisle,    Greensburg,    in    Pennsylvania;    Coffee 
Run,  Delaware ;  at  Vincennes,  Kaskaskia,  Cahokia,  Prairie 
du  Rocher,  in  the  parts  under  his  actual  control ;  while  tliere 
were  churches  and  priests  at  Detroit,  Raisin  River,  Michili- 
niackinac,  and,  soon  after,  at  Fort  Miami,  in  i)art8  still  held 
by  England,  and  under  the  control  of  the  Bishop  of  Quebec  ; 
and  a  priest  and  church  at  Natchez,  and  a  church  at  Villa 
Gayoso,  under  the  Bishop  of  Havana,  S{)ain  holding  the  dis- 
trict by  conquest. 


•  Bishop  Carroll  to  Rev  Mother  Mathews,  March  1,  1798. 
'  Same  to  same,  Nov.  9,  1795. 


I        i 


RRV.  JOHN  THAYKR. 


387 


There  wx-re  scattored  CatliolicH  in  other  partH  viHited  from 
time  to  time,  where  a  log  chaiMjl  or  a  private  house  held 
the  faithful,  when  the  coining  of  a  priest  cheered  and  en- 
couraged them. 

A  ollt'ge  had  been  commenced  at  Georgetown  ;  and  there 
was  a  diotesan  Seminary  in  Baltimore.  The  austere  com- 
munity of  discalced  (>armelite  nuns  at  Port  Tobacco  were 
th»  only  l)ody  of  religious  women. 

i'he  diocese  was  immense  in  extent,  with  Catholics  increas- 
ing in  number  at  isolated  points,  travel  and  communication 
being  m  dithcult  that  they  often  could  not  easily  make  known 
their  wants,  or  be  reached  by  the  small  number  of  priests  in 
the  mission. 

The  Holy  See  had  especially  urged  the  holding  of  a  dioce- 
san synod,  and  Bishop  Carroll  had  felt  its  necessity  in  order 
to  bring  together  the  priests  of  his  diocese  who  differed  in 
nationality,  education,  and  system  of  missionary  work,  to 
adopt  statutes  adapted  to  the  position  of  the  Church  in  the 
United  States,  which  would,  in  time,  insure  uniformity  of 
management  of  the  widely  separated  missions  of  his  diocese. 
But  other  matters  demanded  his  immediate  attention.    Dif- 
ficulties at  Boston  had  hastened  his  return  from  Europe. 
The  llev.  Louis  Rousselet,  who  succeeded  de  la  Poterie  at 
Boston,  soon  scandalized  his  little  flock  of  sixty  Catholics,  so 
that  when  a  priest,  born  in  Boston,  reached  that  city  in  1790, 
Bishop  Carroll  anticipated  consoling  results  from  his  minis- 
try.    This  priest  was  the  Rev.  John  Thayer,  a  convert.     He 
had  in  early  life  been  averse  to  study,  but  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen began  his  education  in  earnest,  apparently  under  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Chauncey.    He  was  in  time  ordained  a  minister  and 
acted  for  two  years  as  chaplain  at  Castle  "William.     An  in- 
clination to  travel  led  him  abroad,  and  he  landed  in  Europe 
toward  the  close  of  the  year  1781.     After  spending  some 


888 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


time  in  France  and  England  he  proceeded  on  his  tour  and 
was  in  Kome  at  tlie  time  of  the  death  of  St.  Benedict  Labre. 
He  had  already  begun  to  study  the  doctrines  of  the  Catholic 
Church,  and  had  conferred  with  some  learned  priests ;  but 
miracles  and  prayers  to  Saints  were  still  very  shocking  to  all 
his  ideas.     He  joined  others  in  ridiculing  those  of  Labre,  till, 
it  is  said,  a  gentleman  challenged  him  to  go  and  investigate 
some  of  the  cases.     He  did  so,  and  to  his  astonishment  found 
the  evidence  such  as  would  have  decided  a  case  in  any  court 
of  justice.     He  was  received  into  the  Church  at  Rome,  May 
25,  1783.     The  Sovereign  Pontill  gave  him  audience  several 
times,  and  bestowed  upon  him  a  crucifix  which  Mr.  Thayer 
always  preserved.     Returning  to  France  he  entered  the  Col- 
lege of  Navarre,  and  was  admitted  by  the  Archbishop  in  an 
Institution  for  Recent  Converts.     Having  decided  to  enter 
the  ecclesiastical  state  he  was  received  into  tlie  Seminary  of 
St,  Sulpice.     Here  the  learned  Rev.  J\Ir.  Nagot  watched  him 
carefully,  finding  much  in  his  zeal  and  piety  to  admire.    His 
vacations  were  spent  in  Pilgrimages — once  to  La  Trappe, 
where  he  remained  some  time  ;  at  another  time  to  the  home 
of  St.  Benedict  Labre  in  Amette.     As  a  stranger  he  was  not 
always  welcomed  on  these  pedestri^in  pilgrimages,  and  was 
at  times  refused  comtnunion  by  those  who  suspected  him  of 
l»eing  a  mere  adventurer.     After  his  three  years'  course  he 
was  ordained  by  the  Archbishop  of  Paris  for  the  mission  of 
the  United  States.'     "While  awaiting  the  orders  of  Very  Rev. 
Dr.  Carroll  he  exercised  the  ministry  among  the  Catholics  in 
London,  and  among  the  Irish  and  English  at  Paris,  convert- 
ing many  Protestiuits  by  his  zeal. 


'  While  nt  St  Sulpice  he  visited  John  Adams  iind  Lis  ,vifc  at  .\utciiij. 
Mrs.  Adams  to  Rev.  John  Shaw,  January  18,  1785.  "  Letters  of  Mrs. 
Adams,  "  Boston,  1848,  p.  228. 


THAYER  IN  BOSTON. 


389 


He  reached  Baltimore  in  February,  lYOO,  after  a  voyage 
■of  eleven  weeks'  duration,  during  wbicl-  he  said  mass  almost 
every  day.     The  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  received  him  kindly, 
and  soon  after  set  out  with  him  for  Philadelphia,  whence  he 
repaired  to  Boston.     He  preached  on  the  Sunday  after  his 
arrival,  and  naturally  attracted  many  to  hear  him :  but  he 
was  soon  prostrated  by  rheumatism,  which  confined  him  for 
a  long  time  to  his  room.     The  account  of  his  conversion, 
which  he  had  published  in  English  and  French,  was  widely 
read,  and  soon  elicited  sneers  and  taunts  in  the  newspapers 
of  the  day.     He  at  first  declined  to  enter  into  any  contro- 
versy.   Some  came  to  him  for  instruction,  and  in  July,  1790, 
he  estimated  the  Catholic  population  of  Boston  at  about  one 
l)undred— French,  Irish,  and  Americans. 

The  zealous  American  priest  soon  found  that  hie  associate 
was  far  from  edifying,  and  that,  like  his  predecessor,  he 
would  bring  disgrace  and  odium  on  the  Church.'  The  Very 
Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  accordingly  withdrew  his  faculties." 


>  "Account  of  the  Conversion  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Thayer,  lately  a 
Protestant  Minister  at  Boston,  in  North  America,"  published  apparently 
at  London  in  1787 ;  and  in  French  at  Paris.  The  English  ran  through 
several  editions,  and  was  reprinted  in  Baltimore  in  1788,  Hartford  1790, 
and  tile  French  in  Canada  about  the  mmie  time,  and  a  Spanish  edition 
appeared  the  same  year.  It  has  since  been  frequently  reprinted.  Rev. 
Mr.  Nagot  included  it  in  his  "  Recueil  de  Conversions  Kemarquables 
nouvellement  opcn'rs  dans  quelques  Prote.stans,"  Paris,  1791,  adding  his 
own  account  of  Thayer's  life  at  St.  Sulpice,  with  extracts  from  his  letters 
from  Baltimore  and  Boston.  Archbishop  of  Scleucia  to  Cardinal  Anto- 
nelli  Fontainebleau.  October  20,  1783  ;  Rev.  .1.  Thayer  to  Very  Rev.  L. 
Neaie,  Vicar-General,  Boston,  October  14, 1790  ;  "  Herald  of  Freedom," 
August  31,  1790  ;  Rev.  John  Thayer  to  Bi-shop  Carroll,  Boston,  January 
0,  1791,  April,  1791  ;  Rev.  Louis  Roussclet  to  Bishop  Carroll,  January 
15,  1791  ;  Life  of  St.  Benedict  Joseph  Labre. 

»  Rousselet's  faculties  were  withdrawn  in  1791  and  he  sailed  to  Guade- 
loupe. Shortly  after,  that  island  was  captured  by  the  French  and  Rous- 
sclet ana  many  French  inhabitants  condemned  to  the  guillotine.    It  was 


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300 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Some  time  after  Ins  arrival,  Rev.  Mr.  Tliayer,  in  an  adver- 
tisement dated  November  24,  1790,  announced  in  a  i)aper  of 
the  day  that  he  would  preach  in  any  of  the  nelgliborinfr 
towns  on  evenings  during  the  week,  and  would  answer  objec- 
tions to  the  doctrines  which  he  announced. 

The  Rev.  George  Lesslie,  minister  of  the  Congregational 
church  at  Washington,  New  Hampshire,  taking  this  as  a 
challenge  to  tie  New  England  clergy,  came  forward  thus : 
"  As  the  gauntlet  is  thrown  by  Mr.  Thayer,  it  is  taken  up  by 
George  Lesslie." 

The  Catholic  priest  had  not  challenged  the  Protestant 
clergy  to  a  controversy,  but  on  the  2()th  of  January,  1791,  he 
professed  his  readiness  to  meet  Mr.  Lesslie  or  any  other,  and 
announced  that  he  would  the  next  day  open  a  controversial 
lecture  at  the  Catholic  church.  "  It  is  no  vain  presumption 
in  my  owji  learning  or  abilities  that  prompts  me  to  this  step ; 
my  only  motive  is  the  glory  of  God  in  the  salvation  of  poor 
Bonis.  My  entire  trust  is  in  the  strength  of  my  Redeemer 
and  the  goodness  of  my  cause."  Rev.  Mr.  Thayer  began  by 
an  e.vposition  of  Catholic  doctrine,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Lesslie  re- 
phetl  by  selecting  the  point  of  Infallibility,  against  which  he 
produced  his  argument**.  The  Catholic  controversialist  re- 
plied at  length,  but  the  New  Hampshire  minister  did  not  at- 
tempt to  refute  his  arguments  Rev.  Mr.  Thayer  waited  for 
a  year,  during  which  he  was  assailed  with  squibs  and  attacks 
in  the  papers,  even  John  Gardner,  a  lawyer  of  eminence,  en- 
tering the  field  with  low  scurrility,  and  making  assertions. 


the  hour  of  praop  for  the  unhappy  priest.  He  roused  the  fnifh  of  his 
fellow  prisoners,  and  prepared  many  of  them  for  dealli,  hearing  their 
confessions  us  he  eould  under  the  eireimstanees.  "  Hut  as  for  me,"  he 
said,  "  I  must  po  into  crnity  without  havinjr  the  efllca.-ious  jrrares  of 
Uic  sacraments  applied  to  my  poor  soul."  ■•  L'.  S.  Catholie  Magazine  " 
Tlii.,  p.  104. 


REV.  JOHN  TM.:.  V  -JR. 


391 


wliich  Thayer  at  once  caUed  upon  him  to  prove.  But  the 
lawyer,  instead  of  sustaining  his  plea  by  evidence,  attempted 
to  wriggle  out  of  his  disgraceful  position  by  coarseness  and 

vulgarity. 

Finding  that  Eev.  Mr.  Lesslie  would  not  attempt  to  answer, 
the  Catholic  clergyman  addressed  him  on  the  marks  of  truth  in 
the  RomaJi  Church,  and  the  marks  of  falsity  of  all  the  sects.' 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Thayer  was  zealous  in  attending  his  little 
Catiiolic  flock  in  Boston,  offering  his  daily  mass,  catechizing 
the  children,  preaching  to  adults,  ever  diligent  in  the  confes- 
sional, and  attending  the  sick.  He  extended  his  visits  to  all 
accessible  places  where  he  heard  of  Catholics  needing  bis 

ministry.' 

But  with  all  his  zeal  and  his  attention  to  his  duties,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Thayer  could  not  avoid  difficulties.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Rousselet  was  still  at  Boston,  and  set  up  another  church,  di- 
viding the  little  congregation. 

Convinced  that  his  presence  was  imperatively  required  there, 
Bishop  Carroll  proceeded  to  Boston  in  the  spring  of  1791. 
He  succeeded  in  uniting  the  two  parties,  who  accepted  Rev. 
Mr.  Thayer ;  provision  was  made  for  the  payment  of  tlie 
debts  incurred  l)efore  the  separation,  including  some  created 
by  the  Abbe  de  la  Poterie,  and  a  bill  due  for  church  articles 
forwarded  apparently  through  the  Archbishop  of  Paris. 
Regulations  were  adopted  for  renting  the  pews,  the  best  one 
in  the  church  being  reserved  for  the  French  consul.'    But  the 


.  "  Controversy  between  the  Rev.  John  Thayer,  Catholic  Missionary  of 
Boston,  and  the  Rev.  George  Lesslie,  Pastor  of  a  Vhmch  in  Washington. 
New  Hampshire.    To  which  are  added  several  other  pieces.      [No  place 

or  date.  ]  _  „  . 

■'  Campbell.  "  Early  History  of  the  Catholic  Church  m  Boston,    m 
•  U.  8.  Catholic  Magazine,"  viii.,  p.  114. 

'Bishop  Carroll.  "Instructions  to  the  CaUiolic  CongregaUon  at 
Boston." 


ifi 


,1    ;  •) . 


^rn'm 


392 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


troubles  caused  by  liis  predecessors  and  his  own  inexperience 
in  the  management  of  a  congregation  neutr  ized  the  efforts 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Thayer. 

The  Bishop  of  Baltimore  was  received  with  courtesy  by 
the  people  of  Boston  generally,  and  having  been  invited  to 
the  annual  dinner  of  the  oldest  military  organization,  "  The 
Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery  Company,"  he  pronounced 
tlie  thanksgiving  at  the  close  of  the  banquet.' 

Bishop  Carroll  was  highly  pleased  with  his  reception  iu 
Boston.  "  It  is  wonderful,"  he  wrote,  "  to  tell  what  great 
civilities  have  been  done  to  me  in  this  town,,  where,  a  few 
years  ago,  a  Popish  priest  was  thought  to  be  the  greatest 
monster  in  the  creation.  Many  here,  even  of  their  princii)al 
people,  have  acknowledged  to  me  that  they  would  have 
crossed  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  street  rather  than  meet  a 
Roman  Catholic  some  time  ago.  The  horror  which  was  asso- 
ciated witli  the  idea  of  a  papist  is  incredible  ;  and  the  scan- 
dalous misrepresentations  by  their  ministers  increased  the 
horror  every  Sunday.  If  all  tli(>  Catholics  here  were  united, 
their  number  would  be  about  one  hundred  and  twentv."  ' 

Besides  the  little  flock  in  Boston,  another  body  of  Catho- 
lics in  New  England  appealed  to  the  Bishop  for  a  priest. 
The  Indians  of  St.  John's  River  and  the  Passamaquoddy 
with  Micmac  deputies  addressed  the  Bishop  through  Mr. 
John  Allan,  who  had  been  Indian  superintendent  of  the 
Eastern  department. 

They  forwarded  to  the  Bishop  in  token  of  their  Catholic- 
ity, a  crucifix  which  had  been  kept  in  a  chief's  family  for 
several  generations.     Mr.  Allan,  who  had  commanded  these 


'  Carey,  "American  Museum,"  ix.,  (43;  "U.  8.  Catholic  Magazine," 
viii.,  p.  149. 

»  Letter  cited  by  Rev.  C.  I.  White  in  Darras'  "  General  History  of  the 
Church,"  iv.,  p.  618. 


THE  PASSAMAQUODDIES. 


393 


Indians  during  the  Revolution,  attested  the  firmness  of  their 

"  From  a  long  acquaintance  with  these  people,    he  wrote, 
"and  having  the  command  of  them  during  the  late  war  be- 
tween America  and  Britain,  I  am  in  some  degree,  knowing 
to  their  sentiments  and  disposition  respecting  their  religious 
tenets.     They  are  a  very  exemplary  people,  consistent  with 
their  customs  and  manners,  as  are  to  be  met  with,  zealous 
and  tenacious  of  the  rites  of  the  Church  and  strictly  moral, 
cautious  of  misbehaving  in  point  of  religion.     Though  rude 
and  uncultivated  in  many  other  matters,  they  are  truly  culti- 
vated in  this,  and  it  was  always  observed  by  the  French  gen- 
tlemen of  the  clergy,  whom  we  were  favored  with  during 
the  war,  that  they  never  saw  a  more  respectable  collection  m 
France,  and  excepting  the  Cathedrals  and  some  particular 
place  of  worship,  their  performance,  chants,  etc.,  in  Latin, 
were  in  most  instances  superior  to  any.     I  have  been  myself 
charmed   with   them  when   shut  up  in  the  woods.     And 
though  of  a  different  sentiment,  believe  them  truly  to  be 
good  Christians,  meriting  the  peculiar  blessings  of  the  Deity. 
They  teach  their  children  when  able  to  lisp  a  word,  the  ser- 
vice, and  as  they  grow  up,  become  in  a  manner  innate,  this 
owing  to  the  assiduity  of  the  French  missionaries,  much  to 

their  honor."  ' 

Their  address  depicted  their  desolate  condition,  with  no 
one  to  instruct  them,  offer  the  holy  sacritice,  or  administer 
the  Sacraments.  The  case  was  urgent,  as  Rousselet,  after 
leaving  Boston,  had  gone  among  these  Indians.' 

As  soon  as  he  was  able  Bishop  Carroll  (li>^patchcd  to  them 
the  Rev.  Francis  Ciquard,  whom  he  commended  in  a  letter 


•  John  Allan  to  Bishop  Ciirroll,  May  31, 1791. 

»  Same  to  same,  July  28,  1793. 

17* 


■Tl 


.I"!"!- 


I* 


394 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


exhorting  the  Indians  to  profit  by  his  instructions  and  einu- 
late  their  ancestors  in  the  zeal  and  fidelity  they  displayed  un- 
der the  good  Fathers  of  former  days.' 

Like  these  Indians  the  Penobscbts  under  their  gallant  and 
truly  Catholic  chief  wh )  led  them  during  tiie  Revolution  in 
the  service  of  the  United  States,  had  all  clung  to  their  faith, 
although  long  deprived  of  priest  and  sacrifice." 

After  Bishop  Carroll  had  made  known  to  his  clergy  gen- 
erally his  intention  of  convoking  a  synod  of  the  priests  of 
his  widely  extended  diocese,  he  issued  on  the  27th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1791,  the  official  notice  of  the  convocation. 

On  the  day  appointed,  the  7th  of  November,  1791,  Bishop 
Carroll  had  the  consolation  of  opening  the  Synod  earnestly 
recommended  by  the  Holy  See,  and  greatly  desired  by  him- 
self. The  numerous  difiiculties  environing  the  undertaking 
had  been  overcome,  and  for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of 
the  country  a  Catholic  bishop  was  to  gather  his  clergy  around 
him  to  deliberate  on  the  rules  to  be  adopted  for  tiie  good  of 
souls. 

Conformably  with  his  desire  and  convocation,  his  episcopal 
mansion  beheld  the  gathering  of  venerable  priests,  lal)orers 
for  years  in  the  missions  in  the  days  of  penal  laws,  the  Very 
Kev.  James  Pellentz,  a  German,  Vicar-General  for  the  dio- 
cese ;  Very  Rev.  James  Frambach.  also  a  German  and  Vicar- 
General  :  Very  Rev.  Francis  Anthony  Fleming,  of  the  order 
of  St.  Dominic,  Vicar-General  for  the  Northern  District; 


'  History  of  tlie  Calho- 


'  Biwliop  CiirroII's  Reply  to  the  Iiidinns  ;  Shea, 
lie  Missions,"  X».w  York,  \K)T\  p.  157. 

*  For  Orono,  sec  "  Massaoliusetts  HisU)ricaI  Collections,"  ix.,  p.  !\2  ■ 
"  Piscatjiway  Evnnirclioil  Majjazine,"  i.,  p.  200  ;  "  New  York  Spectator^' 
April  4.  IHOl  ;  Kingston,  "  Tlie  New  Bio^rrapliic  Dictionarv,"  Haltiinoro, 
1810.  pp.  219-220.  He  died  at  Indian  Old  Town,  February  5,  1801,  at 
the  age  of  118  ;  his  wife.  Madame  Orono,  stirvivins  him  till  .lanuary,  1809. 


FIRST  SYNOD  OF  BALTIMORE. 


895 


Very  Rev.  Robert  Molyneux,  Vicar-General  for  the  Southern 
District  •  Rev.  Francis  Charles  Nagot,  Superior  of  the  Seinina- 
rv  of  St.'sulpice,  Baltimore  ;  and  the  following  priests-John 
\Bhton,  pastor  of  Baltimore ;  Henry  Pile,  Leonard  Neale, 
Charles  Sewall,  Sylvester  Boarman,  William  Elling,  James 
Vonhuffel,  Robert  Plunkett,  Stanislaus  Cerfoumont,  irancis 
Beeston,  Lawrence  Graessel,  Joseph  Eden,  John  Tessier,  Di- 
rector of  the  Seminary;  Anthony  Gamier,  and  the  Rev. 
Louis  Cahier  de  Lavau,  Canon  of  Tours.     The  little  body 
showed  in  ite  diverse  nationality  what  a  blending  of  races 
the  Church  was  to  present,  for  there  were  Americans,  Eng- 
lish  Irish,  Frenr-.h,  Belgians,  Hollanders,  and  Germans. 

The  clergy  having  all  assembled  at  the  Episcopal  residence 
(,n  the  7th  of  November,  Bishop  Carroll  in  his  rochet,  amice, 
cincture,  stole,  and  cope,  mitred,  and  holding  his  crosier, 
went  in  procession  preceded  by  the  priests  from  his  house  to 
the  pro-cathedral  church  of  St.  Peter,  in  which  all  had  been 
prepared  according  to  the  Roman  PontiBcal.  The  Bishop 
then  pronounced  an  eloquent  discourse  suited  to  the  occa- 
sion, after  which  all  made  their  profession  of  faith. 

The  Revs.  Leonard  Keale  and  William  Elling  were  named 
promoters,  and  the  Rev.  Francis  Beeston,  secretary.' 

The  first  Synod  in  this  country  was  thus  opened,  marking 
a  new  era  in  the  history  of  the  Church. 

In  the  first  session  statutes  were  adopted  as  to  baptism, 
re<mlating  the  cases  when  the  sacrament  should  be  a.lmm.s- 
teml  conditionally,  and  prescribing  care  in  the  keeping  and 
preserving  of  baptismal  registers.  As  to  Confirmation  it  pre- 
scribed lu.  a  general  rule  that  it  would  not  be  conferred  except 


.  There  is  a  sketch  of  this  olerpyman  from  the  pen  of  Bishop  Carroll 
i„  KixS'-n  "The  New  American  Biographic  Dictionary."  Baltimore. 
1810,  pp.  40-1. 


I  i 


't  ; 


<  'I 


3U6 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


to  those  who  liad  attained  the  age  of  reason,  and  were  sufBcieiit- 
]y  instnietcd  to  approach  tlie  tribunal  of  i)enance.     The  next 
day  the  Holy  Eucharist  was  taken  up,  and  it  was  enjoined  that 
the  faitliful  should  be  frequently  instnicted  as  to  cleanliness 
of  the  church,  and  the  proper  provision  of  becoming  vest- 
ments and  vessels  for  the  Holy  Sacritice.     As  hitherto  the 
faithful  in  IMarylaud  had  not  contributed  to  the  maintenance 
of  public  worship,  the  Statute  said  :  "  Let  them  also  be  noti- 
fied of  the  oblations  which  the  primitive  Christians  always 
offered  at  Mass ;  and  let  them  be  taught  that  those  are  most 
uiuiiindful  of  God's  glory,  who  contribute  nothing  to  su})ply 
the  means,  without  which  the  offices  of  religion  are  stripped 
of  their  dignity  and  authority,  and  the  devout  worship  of 
the  Holy  Eucharist  much  diminished."     It  accordingly  pre- 
scribed a  custom  now  familiar  to  all,  that  two  should  be  ap- 
pointed in  every  church  to  Uike  up  the  offertory  collection  of 
the  faithful  after  the  Gospel  had  been  read.     Where  no  pro- 
vision was  made  for  the  sup|)ort  of  the  priest  or  the  poor, 
one-third  of  the  collections  was  to  go  to  each  i)urpose,  the 
third  was  to  Ik;  applied  to  the  purchase  of  plate  and  vest- 
ments, the  repair  of  the  church,  and  all  was  to  be  devoted  to 
this  purjiose  in  other  cases. 

The  pn)|wr  instruction  of  children  for  their  first  commun- 
ion was  carefully  prescribed. 

In  the  fourth  session,  regulations  were  adopted  in  regard 
to  Peiuuice.  Extreme  Unction,  and  Matrimony.  As  to  tliis 
last  sacrament  the  Synod  adopted  the  decree  of  a  Council 
held  ai  Lima  by  Saint  Turibius. 

On  the  10th  the  Synod  was  joined  by  the  Rev.  John 
Thayer,  pastor  at  Boston,  and  the  Rev.  John  Rolton,  from  St. 
J<)se|)irs,  on  the  Eastern  Shore.  Gn  that  day  wiis  adopted 
the  regulation  of  the  Divine  Offices,  and  the  observance  of 
holidays  of  obligation.     In  churches  where  there  were  sev- 


I 


i\ 


FIRST  SYNOD  OF  BALTIMORE.  397 

eral  prieete,  the  Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  patroness  of 
the  diocese,  was  to  be  recited  before  High  Mass  ;  and  l)efore 
the  sennon  a  prayer  for  the  authorities,  and  a  fonn  drawn 
UP  by  Bishop  Carroll  was  for  many  years  thus  recited  through- 
out this  country.     The   Sunday  within  the  octave  of  the 
Assumption  was  made  the  principal  feast  of  the  diocese,  and 
the  Holy  See  was  petitioned  to  affix  spiritual  favors  to  its 
observance.    The  sanctifying  of  holidays  of  obligation,  which 
fell  on  days  when  business  was  generally  carried  on  in  the 
country,  presented  difficulties,  and  though  the  obligation  of 
hearing  mass  was  strictly  enforced,  faculty  was  given  to  the 
clergy  for  dispensing  in   cases  where   labor  could  not  be 
avoided  without  great  loss.     Vespers  and  the  Benediction  of 
the    Blessed  Sacrament  in  the  afternoon  of   Sundays  and 
Holidays  were  also  enjoined. 

Regulations  were  then  adopted  on  the  life  and  support 
of  thr  clergy,  and  on  the  burial  of  those  who  had  neglected  to 
approach  the  sacraments  at  Easter, 

The  Synod  then  closed  with  the  prescribed  formalities,  a 
sermon  being  delivered  by  the  Rev.  John  Ashton,  after 
which  the  "  Te  Deum  "  was  chaunted.' 

The  question  of  the  appointment  of  a  Bishop  as  suffragan 
of  Baltimore,  or  Coadjutor,  was  discussed  at  this  Synod,  and 
all  felt  the  necessitv,  so  that  in  case  of  the  death  of  Bishop 
Carroll  there  might  be  another  Bishop  to  assume  the  charge 
of  the  diocese,  without  waiting  for  long  months  to  send  a 
nomination  to  Rome  and  obtain  an  appointment.  The  long 
voyages  and  slow  conveyance  overiand  in  those  days,  ren- 


.  "Statuta  Synodi  RMtimorrn.is  Anno  1791  cc-lebrntrp.  pp.  -.--1.  a 
pamphlet  without  ti.U-pnp.-.  evidently  issued  before  the  ^'"^^^f  ^^  J^ 
Reprinted  in  "  (^oneilia  Provineiali.  Baltin.on  ha  nta  a b  a.mo  8  9  us,,ue 
aci  annum  1840."  Baltimore,  1843,  pp.  7-20^  C'trcular.  bept.  J..  1.91. 
Bishop  Carroll  a  Report  to  the  Propaganda.  1.9-. 


'4  > 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


dered  commnnicatiou  with  Roino  very  tcdioiiH  and  uncer- 
tiiin,  and  in  Caiiadu  the  Bishop  always  had  a  coadjutor  for 
this  very  reason. 

Tlie  proceedings  of  the  Synod  were  then  transmitted  to 
Home. 

The  acts  of  this  Synod  form  the  first  hody  of  laws  adopted 
for  the  government  of  the  Church  in  this  country,  and  they 
liave  constantly  excited  the  admiration  of  all  who  study  them. 
Years  after  Bishop  Brute  wrote :  "  We  must  read  over  the 
Synod  of  1791,  for  the  form  and  its  authority  will  he  a  good 
standard.  In  every  line  you  see  the  Bishop.  In  all  you  see 
how  extensively  he  had  studied,  and  the  spirit  of  faith,  char- 
ity, and  zeal  in  that  first  assemhly,  has  served  as  a  happy 
model  for  [t»  successors."  The  first  Provincial  Council,  hvll 
at  Baltimore  in  1829,  expressing  admiration  for  the  zeal, 
prudence,  and  learning  displayed  hy  Bishop  Carroll  in  a 
Synod  lield  when,  from  the  spirit  of  the  time  and  the  scat- 
tered position  of  the  faithful,  um'ty  was  so  diflficult,  ordered 
the  acta  of  the  Synods  to  he  printed  at  the  head  of  those  of 
the  Provincial  Coimcil.  a  position  they  have  to  this  day  le- 
tiined  in  all  the  collections  of  the  Acts  of  the  Provincial 
Councils  of  Baltimore. 

A  few  days  after  the  close  of  the  Synod  Bishop  Carroll  is- 
sued  the  following  Circular  on  Christian  Marriage  : 

"  When  Christ  honored  the  institution  of  marriage  l)y 
raising  it  to  the  dignity  and  sanctity  of  a  sacrament,  he  in- 
tended to  create  in  all  who  were  to  enter  into  that  state  a 
great  respect  for  it.  and  to  lay  on  them  an  obligation  of  pre- 
paring themselves  for  it,  by  purifying  their  consciences  and 
disjwsing  them  worthily  to  receive  abundant  communications 
of  divine  grace.  He  subjected  thereby  to  the  authority  and 
jurisdiction  of  his  Church  the  manner  and  ritt^s  of  its  cele- 
bration, lest  any  should  violate  and  profane  eo  holy  an  insti- 


CIRCULAR  ON  MARRIAGE. 


809 


tution  by  engaging  in  niarriago  without  duo  consideration  of 
itw  sanctity  und  obligations.  It  is  judged  necessary  to  say  this, 
Ijocause  lately  some  of  the  congregation  have  been  so  regard- 
lew*  of  their  duty  in  this  resjwct,  as  to  recur  to  the  ministry 
of  those  whom  the  Catholic  Church  never  honored  with  the 
coniniissiou  of  administering  marriage.  The  persons  here 
spoken  of,  and  others  who  have  followed  the  ,  example, 
hereby  rendered  themselves  guilty  of  a  sacrilegious  profana- 
tion of  a  most  holy  institution  at  the  very  moment  of  their 
marriage.  It  must  be  left  to  themselves  to  consider,  whether 
they  can  expect  much  happiness  in  a  state  into  which  they 
entered  by  committing  an  ofEence  so  grievous  and  dangerous 
to  their  faith. 

«  To  prevent,  as  much  as  lies  in  our  power,  a  renewal  of 
such  profanation  and  sacrilege,  you  are  desired.  Rev.  Sir,  as 
well  as  our  other  Rev.  brethren,  to  make  known  to  all  that 
whoever  have  lately,  or  hereafter  shall  be  guilty  of  applying 
to  be  married  by  any  other  than  the  lawful  pastors  of  our 
Church,  cannot  be  admitted  to  reconciliation  and  the  Sacra- 
ments, till  they  shall  agree  to  make  public  acknowledgment 
of  their  disobedience  before  the  as8em\)led  congregation,  and 
beg  pardon  for  the  scandal  they  have  given. 


^-jC^c^ 


'Bishop  of  Baltimobe. 


"Balt*  Nov'16, 1791. 
"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Francis  Bkeston." 


Bishop  Carroll  communicated  to  the  faithful  in  the 
United  States,  in  a  pastoral  letter  dated  May  28,  1792,  the 
rules  adopted  in  the  synod.    The  necessity  of  a  pious  and 


t) 


m 


^  > 


<: 


I 

1 

li 

i 

4*  '  ^^^^^1 

p 

-^^i^^i^i 

i 

iti 

Hj^^l 

if  \' 


I;  i;  , 


if) 


£/»      Ot     AHC  It  BISHOP  CARROLL. 


400 


CatlutJi.  <ediuiition  o  the  young  to  WfBre  their  growing  up 
in  the  tuith,  wiw  the  op«euiiig  theme ;  then  Ih'  inforuied  theui 
(A  the  foun(lati«)U  of  the  College  of  Gcorget(iwii  ami  the 
§|ini>najry  at  Haitlinore.  Thf  former  could,  of  course,  ru- 
oetVf  Iwrt  a  comparatively  BJnull  lairnber,  but  the  pupils  there, 
returning  tti  \)  '''  homos,  would  Ik;  able  to  in«-*»'uct  and  guide 
otherH  in  local  ot/  "tols,  and  the  College  and  a  (  liriHtian  train- 
ing at  home  would  ftmter  vcx'ations  for  the  pricHthood,  and 
thu8  give  students  to  the  Seminary.  For  lK)th  institutions 
lie  solicited  the  generous  supjMtrt  of  the  Catholic  Ixnly. 
The  next  topic  was  the  increase  of  church  accommodutiun 


•/T^    i/n 


Tl^yyt. 


'e^&</A 


<Un^ 


FACSIMILE  OF  THE  HIUNATUIIE   OF   REV.    FUANCIS   DEEBTON. 

and  the  maintenance  of  tlie  clergy.  In  the  rapid  growth  of 
the  faithful  by  immigration,  the  course  pursued  in  Maryland 
and  I^ennsylvania  from  the  settlement  of  those  States,  could 
not  be  adopted  generally.  There,  in  most  cases,  tlie  clergy 
had  })urchased  farms,  and  established  hojisechapels  on  them, 
living  by  the  prcnlucts  raised.  But  under  the  new  order  of 
things,  as  a  congregation  gathered  in  any  district,  it  l)ecame 
their  duty  to  erect  a  church  suited  to  their  wants,  and  to  con- 
tribute to  the  support  of  a  priest  who  could  visit  them,  or 
maintain  a  resident  pastor.  This  obligation  had  not  I)ecn 
geneniUy  recognized,  and  tlie  liisliop  showed  its  binding 
force.  Where  it  was  iicglecttKl  "churches  for  the  celebra- 
tion of  divir;e  wrvice  and  the  great  Eucharistic  sjvcrifice  of 
the  law  of  iTracc."  says  the  Bishop,  "  are  not  built  at  all,  or 
are  suffered  to  fall  into  decay.  They  are  without  chalices, 
without  the  decent  and  necessary  fnniiture  «>f  the  altars, 
without  vestments  suited   to  the  different  services  of  the 


HIS  FIRST  PASTORAL. 


401 


Churob. ;  in  a  word,  without  tliow?  mcred  utensilB  which  iti» 
(.rdinanccH  rciuirt".  aiul  which  contribute  to  i.uprc«Hthc  n.ind 
with  a  l»eooiuiiiK  hcmiho  of  the  majesty  of  kW^'iou,  and  coti- 
clhate  reH|K«ct  for  its  augUHt  ceretuoniuH."  '     Many  .    ligrega- 
tion«  had  nm««  but  once  a  month  who  couUl  and  should 
have  a  renidont  pantor  and  the  couKtaut  saeritice.     Kellgion 
would  \h>  kept  alive,  their  children  and  «ervant8  instructed  : 
in  other  places  no  steps  had  been  taken  to  obtain  even  an 
occjisional  service.    Tliir  iu.lifference  he  deplored.    "  Amongst 
,ill  the  obstructions  to  th<:  due  celebration  of  divine  service, 
and  the  regular  attendance  on  the  sacred  functions  of  relig- 
ion, thiH  b,ckwardnes8  of  the  faithful  to  contribute  for  its 
supV'.r,"  .ontinued  tlie  pastoral,  -  is  one  of  the  greatest,  iis 
was   generally   agreed    and    represented    by   my   venerable 
brethren,  the  clergy  of  the  diocese,  in  a  Synod  held  some 
months  ago."    Citing  statutes  there  enacted,  the  Bishop  im- 
nressed  on  his  flock  the  necessity  of  making  sacrittces  to 
God  of  the  means  which  God  had  given  them,  in  order  to 
maintain  His  worship  and  secure  f<.r  themselves  and  their 
families  the  ministry  of  religion.     lie  also  encouraged  them 
to  greater  charity  U  ward  the  faithful  departed,  by  fre(pient 
prayers  and  the  obhition  of  the  holy  sjicritice. 

The  Pa  toral  Letter  of  Bishop  Carroll,  the  first  document 
of  the  kind  from  a  Catholic  prelate,  spread  l)y  the  presg 
through  the  land,  was  widely  read  and  generally  admired. 
There  was  nothing  in  it  that  any  lover  of  his  country  or  his 
fellow-men  could  censure,  but  one  wight  took  tire  at  the  sig- 
nature and  sent  to  a  newspaper  a  protest  against  the  "  Extra- 
(,rdinary  Signature."  Bishop  Carroll  deemed  it  wise  to  use 
the  occasion  to  remove  prejudi.  •■,  though  even  in  the  sense 
attributed  by  the  caviller,  his  otiense  was  far  less  than  that 


111 


>  Pastoral  Letter  of  Kt.  Rev.  John  Carroll. 


nt 


m- 


402 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


of  his  fellow-traveller,  Bishop  Madison,  who  claimed  to  he 
bishop  of  a  whole  State,  Virginia,  while  he  modestly  claimed 
oulj  one  city — Baltimore. 

"  The  Roinau  Catholic  Bishop  of  Baltimore,"  he  wrote, 
"  in  a  late  letter  to  his  flock,  which  acknowledges  his  pastoral 
jurisdiction,  adopts  the  language  sanctioned  by  the  imme- 
morial usage  of  his  church,  and  takes  his  appellation  from 

the  town  where  his  episcopal  see  is  erected He  has 

not  invaded  the  rights  of  any  religious  society  "  .  .  .  .  and 
"  has  been  careful  to  preserve  the  language  of  his  predeces- 
sors in  the  episcopal  charge,  from  its  institution,  near  eighteen 
hundred  years  ago,  down  to  the  i)reBent  time,  for  he  knows 
that  the  integrity  of  Christian  doctrine,  generally,  is  pre- 
served best  by  a  faithful  adhereuce  to  the  same  modes  of 
speech ;  and  he  is  not  dis])08ed  to  sacrifice  to  a  spirit  of  inno-  ' 
vation,  or  to  a  levelling  anti-hierarchical  system  of  religion, 
those  expressions  by  which  all  ages  of  Christianity  have  des- 
ignated his  office."     He  criticised  the  writer's  signature  of 
I-iberal  while  championing  illiberality,  and  cited  the  use  of 
the  feathers  who  styled  themselves  Bishops  of  Rome,  Antioch, 
Corinth,  etc.,  when  the  mass  of  the  population,  still  heathen, 
rejected  Christianity  and  recognized  no  authority  in  them. 
He  cited,  too,  the  custom  of  institutions  assuming  names 
without  cavil,  such  as  "  Bank  of  Maryland,"  or  "  lialtimore 
Insurance  Office,"  without  any  one  dreaming  to  accuse  them 
of  claiming  to  own  the  State,  or  city,  or  even  exclusive  right 
to  conduct  their  jieculiar  business. 

"  So,  likewise,  let  who  will,  in  other  religious  professions, 
call  themselves  •  liishops  of  Baltimore,'  it  will  excite  neither 
regret  nor  O))position  in  him  who  is  now  known  by  that  de- 
nomination. Indeed,  considering  his  line  of  episcopal  suc- 
cession, and  source  of  spiritual  jurisdiction,  he  will  think  his 
owni  the  best-founded  clair  ;  but,  if  others  judge  differentlv. 


THE  SY?IOi)  APPROVED. 


408 


he  will  not  accuse  them  of  invading  his  civil  rights,  much 
less  will  he  insinuate  that  they  are  guilty  of  presumption  ; 
and  less  still  will  he  provoke  them  with  a  threat  or  denounce 
against  them  '  a  return  for  their  temerity.'  He  conceives 
that  they  would  treat  such  threats  from  him  with  contempt, 
and  therefore  he  entertains  the  same  sentiment  for  those  of 

*  Liberal.' "  ' 

When  the  proceedings  of  the  Synod  reached  Rome  they 
received  the  highest  commendation,  and  were  approved  with 
«eme  slight  modifications."  The  Sovereign  Pontiff  took  coun- 
sel as  to  the  best  means  of  relieving  the  Rt.  Ilev.  Dr.  Carroll 
of  his  exceeding  great  responsibility.  Cardinal  Antonelli,  in 
replying  to  the  Bishop  of  Baltimore,  agreed  at  length  on  the 
expediency  of  his  having  a  coadjutor,  in  preference  to  a  di- 
vision of  the  diocese  and  the  erection  of  a  new  see.     It  was 


■  NovcmbcT  29,  1793.    Brent,  "  Biographical  Sketch,"  pp.  129-135. 
»  Cardinal  Antonelli  to  Bishop  Carroll.  August  16,  1794,  says:  "  They 
have  been  read  with  great  pleasure  by  all,  for  they  give  most  lumuious 
proofs  of  your  piety,  prudence  and  pastoral  vigilance,  since  what  you 
have  deenied  proper  to  enact  will  apparently  be  most  profitable  to  the 
iHiople  of  your  diocese."     In  the  statute  on  baptism  the  distinction  be- 
tween CatiioHc  and  non-Catholic  midwives  was  to  be  omitted.    In  that 
on  confirmation,  it  was  to  be  noted  that  infants  at  the  hour  of  death  may 
very  properly  and  beneficially  receive  that  sacrament.     In  regard  to  the 
retribuiion  for  masses,  reference  is  made  to  Benedirt  XIV.,  and  it  is  ad- 
vised to  fix  the  amount  according  to  the  circumstances  of  the  country^ 
In  regard  to  the  marriage  of  persons  coming  from  other  parts,  the  Sacred 
Congrer'ation  prescribed  :  "  Qua  propter  exigendum  ab  eis  erit  testimo- 
nium duoruni,  aut  saltem  unius  testis  cum  juramento,  aftlrmantis  eos  qui 
matrimonium  contrahere  eupiunt,  liberos  esse.     Si  ven.  Imjusmodi  testes 
habere  nequeant,  Sacra  Congregatio.  tibi  privilegium  impertitur  (parochis 
ctiuni  tuie  dia^ceseos  communicabile)  ut  prn?missis  publicntiombus  con- 
trahentes  ad  juramentum  supplctorium  admit  tas ;  sed  pro  iis  tantum  locis, 
in  (luibus  ultra  annum  morati  non  fuerint.  nam  si  mora  excesserit  annum, 
vel  ordinariorum  vel  tcstium  fide  libertatem  iirobaredebent,  pro  mo.-a  ultra 
annum  in  uno(,uo.iuo  loco  facta."    In  regard  to  ecclesiastical  bunal. 
priests  were  to  adhere  to  the  Homan  Ritual. 


•"I'f^fiil 


-  =  ^  I      : 


t 

•  1  ■ 


I'll' 

1  ''i ' 


'    n 


LWE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

considered  best,  as  there  was  not  a  hierarcliy  of  several  bish- 
ops, that  tlie  administration  of  ecclesiastical  aifairs  shonld  be 
in  the  hands  of  one  prelate,  for  thus  a  uniform  mode  of  dis- 
cipline would  be  gradually  introduced  ;  the  clcrfry  Mould  be 
more  submissive  under  the  direction  of  one  bishop ;  and  such 
unity  would  be  more  conducive  to  the  welfare  of  souls.  On 
the  contrary,  if  there  were  two  bishops  and  no  metropolitan, 
dissensions  might  arise.  As  a  coadjutor  could  reside  in  any 
part  of  the  diocese,  he  could  take  charge  of  a  district  which 
the  ordinary  could  not  visit,  while  at  the  same  time  the  ad- 
ministration would  be  directed  by  the  latter  and  according  to 
his  will.' 

The  selection  of  a  coadjutor  by  the  Bishop  was  urged  as  a 
means  of  providing  for  the  succession,  as  the  Sovereign  Pon- 
tiff would  not  again  permit  an  election  by  the  clergy.  "  This 
Sacred  Congregation,  His  Holiness'  will  being  directly  ex- 
pressed, enjoins  your  Lordship  to  take  the  advice  of  the  older 
and  wiser  priests  of  the  diocese,  and  propose  a  clergyman, 
one  of  those  on  the  An)erican  mission,  who  might  be  fit  and 
acquainted  with  the  condition  of  affairs,  and  the  Holy  Father 
would  then  appoint  him  coadjutor  with  all  necessary  and  sea- 
sonable faculties."  ' 

To  remove  any  objection  that  nnght  be  made  by  the  Fed- 
eral or  State  governments,  the  Holy  See  ordained  that  in 
future  the  oath  to  be  taken  by  Bishops  in  America  should  be 
that  authorized  for  the  l?ishop8  in  Ireland  and  the  Bishop  of 


'  The  proper  for  F^njjland  in  tlie  Missal  iind  Breviary  had  Inen  us<'(l  in 
this  country  ;  but  aM  it  swmed  out  of  place  sinre  the  separation  from 
Enjriand,  and  could  not  Ix"  caHily  imposed  on  priests  from  Ireland,  Ger 
many,  and  France,  Bishop  Carroll  had  solicited  and  obtained  authority 
to  use  the  IJonian  Miss;il  and  Breviary  without  the  proper  for  England. 
Mem.  of  Bishop  Carroll  to  the  Propapmda,  August  13,  1792. 

'  Cardinal  Antouelli  to  Bishop  Carroll,  September  29,  1792. 


ik  --i\ 


THE  OATH  OF  BISHOPS. 


405 


Mohilow,  "  that  in  future  all  pretext  of  carping  and  misrep- 
resenting may  be  removed,"  ' 

Bishop  Carroll  had  now  met  a  large  part  of  his  clergy, 
and  in  frank  discussion  had  considered  the  state  of  religion 


•  Cardinal  Antonelli  to  Bishop  Carroll,  August  16, 1794. 
"  Forma  Juramenti  prtestandi  ab  Episcopo  in  sua  Consecratione. 
"  Ego  N.  Electus  Ecclesise  N.  ab  hac  bora  in  antea  fldelis  et  obediens 
(TO  Beato  Petro  Apostolo  Sanctaeque  Romance  Ecclesise,  et  Dfio  Nfo 
nomino  N.  Papoe  N.  suisque  succensoribus  canonice  Intrantibus.     Non 
ero  in  consilio,  aut  consensu,  vel  facto,  ut  vitam  perdant,  aut  membrum, 
seu  capinntur  mala  captione,  aut  in  eos  violenter  manus  quoniodolibet 
iiigerantur,  vd  injurice  aliquee  inferantur,  quovis  queesito  colore.     Con- 
silium vero,  quod  milii  crcdituri  sunt,  per  se  aut  Nuntios  suos  seu  litteras 
lul  eorum  damnum  me  sciente  nemini  pandam.     Papatum  Romanum  et 
Regalia  Sancti  Petri  adjutoreis  ero  ad  retinendum  et  defendendum,  salvo 
meo  ordine  contra  onuicm  bominem.   Legatum  Apostolicse  Sedis  in  eundo 
et  rerttundo  honorifice  tractabo,  et  in  suis  necessitatibus  adjuvabo.    Jura, 
boro.-'--,  privilcgia,  et  auctoritatem  Sanctse  Romanne  Ecclesiee,  Domini 
Nostri  Papte  et  successorum  prajdictorum,  conservare,  defendere,  augere, 
el  proniovere  curabo.     Ncque  ero  in  consilio,  vel  facto  vel  tractatu,  in 
(piilms  contra  ipsum  Dominum  nostrum,  vel  eamdem  Romanam  Eccle- 
siam  aliqua  sinistra,  vel  prffijudicialia  pcrsonarum,  juris,  honoris,  status 
et  potestatis  eorum  machinentur.     Et,  si  talia  a  quibuscumque  tractari, 
vel  procururi  novero,  impediam  hoc  pro  posse  ;  et  quanto  citius  potcro 
aigniflcabo  eidcm  Donuno  Nostro,  vd  alteri  per  quern  possit  ad  ipsius 
notitiam  pervenire.     Regulas  Sanctorum  Patrum,  decreta,  ordinationes, 
seu  dispositiones,  rcscrvationcs,  provisiones,  et  mandata  Apostolica  totis 
viribus  observabo,  ot  faciam  ab  aliis  observari.    Vocatus  ad  synodum, 
vcniam   nisi   prwpcditus  fuero  canonica  prcepeditionc.     Apostolorum 
limina  singulis  decennis  personalitcr  per  me  ipsum  visitabo,  et  Domino 
Isostro  ac  successoribus  pra;fatis  rationem  rcddam  de  toto  meo  pastorali 
officio,  ac  de  rebus  omnibus  ad  meffi  ecclesiae  statum,  ad  clerl  et  populi 
disciplinam,  animarum  deniciue,  qua;  mea;  fldei  tradita;  sunt,  salutem 
(piovismodo  pcrtinentibus,  et  vicissim  mandata  Apostolica  humiliier  reci- 
piani,  et  quam  diligcntissime  exequar.     Quod  si  Icgitimo  impedimcnto 
dctontus  fuero  jira-fata  omnia  adimplebo  per  ccrtum  nuntium  ad  hoc 
siieciale  mandatum  liabentem,  de  gremio  mei  Capituli  aut  nlium  in  dig; 
nilate  Kcclesiastioa  constitutum.  seu  alias  personatum  habcntem,  aut,  hia 
mihi  deficicntibns,  per  Dio'cesanum  sacerdotem.  et  clcro  deflciente  (mi- 
iiino,  i>or  aiiipieni  alium  Presbyterum  siecularem,  vd  Regularem  spectatiB 
lirobitatis  et  Hdigionis,  de  sapradictis  omnibus  plene  instruetum.     De 
hujusmodi  antera  impedimento  docebo  per  legiliraas  probationes  ad 


I 


,( 


t  n 


,ni 


406 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


sl 


and  the  best  plans  for  gathering  the  faithful  and  guiding 
them  in  the  path  of  faith  and  good  works. 

He  then  resumed  his  ordinary  labors,  involving  much  of 
the  duty  of  a  parish  priest.  Baltimore  possessed  a  church, 
but  there  were  Catholics  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  city, 
then  known  as  Fell's  Point,  and  their  number  was  swelled  by 
Catholic  sailors  from  vessels  lying  there.  As  they  were 
nearly  two  miles  from  St.  Peter's,  they  resolved  in  1792  to 
undertake  the  erection  of  a  church  in  their  own  quarter. 
Bishop  Carroll  encouraged  their  zeal,  and  when  they  rented 
an  unplastered  room  in  the  third  story  of  a  house  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Fleet  and  Bond  Streets,  and  fitted  it  up  as  a  chapel,  he 
came  to  offer  the  holy  sacrifice  for  the  first  time,  attended  by 


W 


^. 


y^^^i'-Y 


BIONATURBS  OP  REV.  ANTHONY  0ARNI2R  AND  REV.  WILLIAM  DU  BOUUQ. 


the  Rev.  John  Tessier.     Such  was  the  humble  beginning  of 
the  second  church  in  Baltimore. 

The  care  of  this  little  congregation  was  committed  to  the 
Rev.  Anthony  Gamier,  who  discharged  his  ministry  with 
zeal  and  fidelity.  His  congregation  was  very  small  at  first, 
consisting  of  alx)ut  a  dozen  people,  but  he  could  soon  num- 
ber twelve  families,  independent  of  the  occasional  visitors. 


Panctae  Romann;  Ecclc*;ia;  Cartiinalem  per  supradictiim  nuntiura  trans- 
inittoruliiH. 

"  PoH!»cH8ionc8  vcro  ad  inensam  n.eam  pcrtinciitcs  non  veiidam,  iicc 
dniinlK),  ii('(|ue  impigiiDrabo,  neo  dc  novo-inffudidio.  vol  aliquo  inodo 
nliciiiilH)  ctiani  cum  consensu  ("apituli  Ecclcsiie  mca',  inconsulto  Romano 
I'ontiflco.  Kt  si  ad  aliquani  alitnationt-in  dcvcncro,  jHrnns  in  quadain 
BuiH-r  hoc  edita  tonstitutione  conUntas  co  ipso  incurrere  v<j1().  Sic  nie 
DeuB  adjuvet." 


FRENCH  CLERGYMEN. 


407 


from  the  ships.    The  second  story  of  a  house  on  Thames 
Street  was  for  two  or  three  years  their  next  chapel.' 

The  first  body  of  P>ench  priests  was  followed  by  Rev. 
John  DuBois,  who  landed  at  Norfolk  in  1791 ;  by  the  Sulpi- 
tians  Eev.  Messrs.  Benedict  Flaget,  John  B.  David,  and  Chi-     , 
coisneau,  who  reached  Baltimore  March  26,  1792.    With  the 
last  came  Stephen  Badin,  in  minor  orders,  and  Mr.  BarreS 

not  yet  tonsured." 

Some  of  these  Bishop  Carroll  had  solicited  especially  for 
the  missions  near  the  great  lakes,  where  the  French  language 
still  prevailed,  and  where  Rev.  Mr.  Emery  purposed  found- 
ing a  solid  Sulpitian  estabhshment. 

On  the  ISth  of  June,  1792,  Rev.  Messrs.  Levadoux  and 
Flaget  accordingly  set  out  for  the  West.  Nine  days  after  an- 
other reinforcement  arrived,  consisting  of  the  Sulpitians  Rev. 
Ambrose  Mar^chal,  ordained  just  as  he  set  sail;  Rev.  Ga- 
briel Richard,  Rev.  Francis  Ciquard,  Director  at  the  Semi- 
nary at  Bourges ;  and  Rev.  Francis  Anthony  Matignon,  Doc- 
tor of  the  Sorbonne,  and  formerly  professor  at  Orleans. 

Rev.  Mr.  Marechal,  after  saying  his  first  mass,  became  assist- 
ant to  Rev.  Mr.  Beeston  at  Bohemia,  and  to  Rev.  Father  Flem- 
ing in  Philadelphia;  Rev.  Gabriel  Richard  in  September 
started  westward  to  share  the  labors  of  Rev.  Mr.  Levadoux. 

Rev.  Mr.  Ciquard  had  come  expressly  to  direct  an  Indian 
mission,  and  Bishop  Carroll  kept  his  promise  to  the  Indians 
of  Maine,  by  sending  him  to  the  Passamaquoddies ;  while 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Matignon  was  sent  to  Boston  to  labor  there  as 
a  devoted  and  holy  priest  for  the  rest  oThis  days.' ^ 

the  (Mtholic  Church  in  Maryland."  "  U.  S.  Cath  M«g..  ..  p.  391. 
Scharf,  "The  Chronicles  of  Baltimore,"  Baltimore,  1879,  p.  09. 

'  Bishop  Carroll  to  Bishop  of  Quebec,  May  4,  1793. 

3Tes8ier,  "Epoques  du  Seminaire  de  Baltimore";  Dilhet,  "Etat  de 
I'Eglise." 


•I  ..I 


406 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL 


i  -  \ 


:  I 


In  1794  Bisbop  Carroll  received  with  welcome  aiiotlier 
colony  of  the  French  clergy  exiled  by  the  Revolution,  the 
liev.  Williiini  Louis  Du  Bourg,  Rev.  John  Moranvillo,  Rev. 
Donatian  Olivier,  and  Rev.  John  Rivet ;  two  years  later 
came  Rev.  M.  J,  C.  Fournier  and  Rev.  John  Lefevre  Chev- 
erus  ;  and  in  1798  Rev.  Anthony  Salmon. 

The  arrival  of  priests  from  France  elevated  the  worship  in 
all  the  churches.  Under  the  penal  laws  of  England,  the 
Catholic  ])rie8t8  in  the  British  dominions  had  offered  the 
Holy  Sacrifice  in  the  simplest  manner,  and  other  services 
were  conducted  with  very  little  ceremonial.  But  when 
clergymen  arrived  accustomed  to  see  the  ritual  of  the  Church 
carried  out  with  pomp  and  splendor,  and  many  of  them  de- 
voted for  years  to  instnicting  candidates  for  the  priesthood 
in  the  ceremonies  of  religion,  with  all  their  beautiful  and  in- 
sjiiring  suggestions  to  a  devout  heart,  the  old  slavish  spirit 
of  jwnal  days  was  discarded :  the  service  of  the  Church,  es- 
pecially in  Baltimore,  l)ecame  grand  and  imposing :  its  cere- 
monial was  ai)preciated  and  loved.  The  hard-worked  mis- 
sionary priest  on  his  journeys  through  the  interior  could  not 
yet  invest  divine  worship  with  n)uch  pomp,  but  he  was  pav- 
ing the  way.' 

The  Church  in  the  United  States  had  but  recently  seen  the 
eacrajnent  of  confirmation  conferred  ;  and  the  time  had  come 
when  for  the  first  time  was  given  that  of  Holy  Orders.     The 

'  Fifty  ycHrs  njro  in  New  York  n  hijih  maas  with  deacon  and  siib- 
deacon  wa.s  a  novelty  ;  the  first  kisa  of  peace,  and  first  incensinp  of  tlie 
{)eople  made  talk  anionjEt  Catholics  for  wreks.  In  England  it  was  even 
worse.  In  Bishop  Miliier's  time  the  Benediction  of  the  Bk-ssed  Hacra- 
nient  was  practically  unknown.  In  his  Life  by  Rev.  Dr.  Husenbirtli, 
there  is  a  very  curious  account  of  the  first  occasion  of  a  Benediction.  A 
monstrance  and  a  censer  were  limited  up  in  old  Catholic  fannlies,  but  no 
one  knew  what  to  pet  for  incense,  and  they  finally  used  rosin  from  an 
old  platiti  candlestick. 


*:'! 
n 


THE  FIRST  ORDINATION. 


409 


-Rev.  Stephen  T.  Badin  accompanied  one  of  the  hands  of  Sul- 
nitiane  as  a  sennnarian,  oifering  his  services  to  the  new  dio- 
cese    He  had  received  minor  orders  and  the  subdiaconate  in 
France;  and  on  the  22d  of  September,  1792,  Bishop  Carroll 
made  his  first  ordination  by  conferring  deacon's  orders  on 
him,  and  minor  orders  on  two  other  students  of  the  Semi- 
ivvry  •     On  the  25th  of  May  in  the  following  year,  at  his 
gecond  ordination,  he  imposed  hands  on  the  Rev.  Mr.  Badin, 
and  raised  him  to  the  awful  dignity  of  the  priesthood.     The 
first  ordained  priest  of  the  diocese  of  Baltimore  was  at  once 
dispatched  to  Kentucky,  where  in  a  long,  laborious,  and  fruit- 
ful ministry,  he  showed  himself  well  worthy  of  his  distinc- 
tion as  the  first  to  receive  orders  at  the  hands  of  the  first 
bishop  of  Baltimore. 

The  spread  of  the  Church  on  the  Atlantic  Coast  and  in  tne 
interior  was  steady  and  gradual ;  and  the  older  mission  districts 
were  not  neglected.  The  Rev.  Lawrence  Graessel,  a  learned 
and  devoted  priest,  of  whose  sanctity  tradition  has  preserved 
the  most  exalted  estimate,  revived  the  missions  in  New  Jer- 
sey, which  had  been  attended  by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Schneider 

and  Farmer. 

AVhen  the  Holy  See  so  distinctly  expressed  its  preference 
in  regard  to  the  appointment  of  a  coadjutor,  Bishop  Carroll, 
afterwnsulting  the  oldest  and  most  experienced  of  his  clergy, 
selected  the  Rev.  Mr.  Graessel,  and  forwarded  his  name  to 
Rome.  The  choice  shows  how  little  Dr.  Carroll  was  influ- 
enced by  mere  national  considerations,  and  how  ready  he  was 
to  open'the  wav  for  German  priests  to  the  highest  honors. 

But  the  health  of  the  devoted  priest  was  already  broken 
bv  the  severity  of  his  apostolical  labors.  He  felt  that  his 
career  was  near  its  close,  and  that  he  would  never  wear  the 

Rev.  Mr.  Mondesir  was  one  of 


'  RpRistcr  of  Ordinations,  Baltimore, 
tlie  two. 

18 


mi ' 

4' 


i 


'0  4 


m 


'It'  ,1 


m 


410 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


•1 


mitre.  A  touching  letter  is  extant,  in  which  he  coininuiii- 
cates  to  his  parents  the  tidings  alike  of  the  proposed  honor 
and  of  hie  approaching  end.' 

In  1793  and  the  following  years,  several  parts  of  the  coun- 
try were  visited  by  the  yellow  fever,  rhihulelphia  especially 
suffering  by  its  ravages.  The  priests  were  untiring  and  he- 
roic in  their  attendance  on  the  sick,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Graessel, 
though  stricken  with  a  fatal  malady,  resumed  the  active  work 
of  ministering  to  the  sick. 

In  a  pastoral  issued  in  1800,  Bishop  Carroll  said  :  "  Since 
its  lirst  appearance  in  the  year  1793  the  American  Church 
has  suffered  by  this  disease  alone  the  loss  of  eight  of  the  most 
useful,  and,  in  every  respect,  most  valuable  pastors  of  souls ; 
Iwsides  six  or  seven  others,  who  contracted  the  disease,  and 
were  reduced  to  the  point  of  death,  so  that  their  recovery 
appears  rather  a  miracle  of  God's  fatherly  beneficence,  than 
the  effect  of  natural  causes." 

Among  those  who  died  in  Philadelphia  were  the  coadjutor- 
elect.  Rev.  Lawrence  Graessel,  the  able  Dominicans,  Francis 
Anthony  Fleming  and  Francis  V.  Keating.  Their  death, 
glorious  in  heroic  devotedness,  was  a  serious  loss  to  religion, 
not  only  in  Philadelphia,  but  to  the  whole  diocese. 

Mr.  Fleming's  merits.  Bishop  Carroll  wrote,  "could  not 
have  l)een  exercised  anywhere  more  to  the  credit  of  religion 
than  at  Philadelphia,  where  he  was  universiilly  loved  and  es- 
teeiMe<l.  Mr.  Graeasel,  his  companion  in  life  and  death,  and 
my  designated  coadjutor,  was  equally  esteemed  ;  but  l)eing  a 
German,  and  consc(juently  not  speaking  our  language  with 
the  same  purity,  or  with  as  much  facility,  could  not  render 
his  talents  so  conspicuous  to  the  most  numerous  part  of  the 
congregation."  * 

'  "  U.  8.  Catholic  Historiciil  Magazine,"  i.,  p.  68. 
'  BiHhop  Carroll  to  Arcbbisbop  Troy,  July  12,  1794. 


FATHER  FLEMING,   OS.D. 


411 


The  Dominican  Fathers,  Fleming  and  Keating,  were  elo- 
(juent  men,  and  Bt)me  of  their  discourHes  have  been  preserved 
in  the  i)eri()dical8  of  the  day.  Tlie  former,  who  had  been 
Rector  of  the  College  of  his  order  at  Lisbon,  had  alsc  done 
Borvice  in  refuting  slanders  against  the  Church. 

Miers  Fisher,  a  member  of  Assembly  from  Philadelphia, 
repeating  in  a  debate  on  Lotteries  a  lie  that  any  decent  man 
ought  to  blush  to  utter,  said :  "  Lotteries  were  like  the  Pope's 
indulgences,  forgiving  and  permitting  sins  to  raise  money." 
To  this  Father  Fleujing  called  attention,  but  Miers  Fisher 
treated  the  thing  in  mockery,  and  gravely  cited  one  of  the 
miserable  forgeries  got  up  against  Catholics,  a   pretended 
"  Price  Current  of  Sins."    When  Father  Fleming  challenged 
him  to  produce  any  proof  of  his  original  charge  from  any 
Catholic  writer,  or  any  proof  of  the  authenticity  of  the  pre- 
tended list,  he  squirmed  off.  as  such  creatures  generally  do, 
into  new  an'l  different  charges  agiiinst  Catholics.     Father 
Fleming  was  not  to  be  diverted.     "  I  now  cite  Verus  to  the 
tribunal  of  the  public,  to  prove  his  accusation.     Unless  he 
retract  the  foul  aspersion,  or  demonstrate  that  Catholics,  by 
an  indulgence,  understand  a  permission  to  commit  sin,  he 

must  rest  satisiied  that  every  impartial  reader  shall  pronounce 

him  to  be  obstinate  in  calumny." 

Fisher  ntteriy  failed  to  produce  any  authority,  and  tried 

to  sustain  himself  by  passages  in  Guthrie's  Geography  and  a 

work  of  Dr.  Kobcrison,  whom  he  cited  as  contemporary  with 

the  Pope  who  issued  the  pretended  Account  Current ! 

Father  Fleming  collected  and  published  the  letters  as  a 

means  of  spreading  a  correct  statement  of  Catholic  doctrine.' 


1  "The  rulumnies  of  Verus;  or,  Catholics  Vindicated,  from  certain 
old  slanders  lately  revived  ;  in  a  series  of  letters,  jiublished  in  different 
(}a7.ettes  at  Philadelphia,  collected  and  revised  l)y  Verax,  with  the  addi- 


f  in.' 


b  .1  ' 


Bgcats?^ 


M,»...:.^^i,MM^ 


412 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


'!; 


Tlie  learned  and  zealous  French  priests  whom  wc  huvo 
hati  occasion  to  mention  were  not  the  only  persons  whom  the 
French  revolution  compelled  to  seek  refuge  on  our  shores. 
When  the  ruthless  hand  of  infidelity  drove  nuns  and  other 
religious  women  from  their  loved  and  quiet  homes,  several 
crossed  the  Atlantic.  Among  these  were  some  Capuchin 
nuns  from  Amiens  and  Tours,  who  took  up  their  residence 
at  Baltimore  ;  but  all  was  new  and  strange,  and  after  seeking 
encouragement  to  visit  Canada,  they  set  out  for  Illinois. 
Here,  among  a  French  population,  they  hoped  to  tii  1  u 
more  congenial  home  than  in  Maryland,  where  they  could 
not  adapt  themselves  to  the  language  and  life  of  the  people. 
They  set  out  in  October,  1793,  and  finally  reached  New 
Orleans.  A  Minim  Sister  of  the  order  of  St.  Francis  de 
Paula,  who  had  crossed  the  Atlantic  with  them,  remained  in 
Baltiniore.' 

In  17l>2  Mother  Mary  de  la  Marclie,  Abl)ess  of  St.  Clare, 
Mother  Celeste  la  Blonde  de  la  liochefoucault,  and  Mother 
de  St.  Luc,  Poor  Clares,  attended  by  a  lay  brother,  sought 
an  axylum  in  Maryland.  They  apparently  attempted  at  first 
t<i  establish  a  house  at  Frederick,  but  in  ISOl  purchased  of 
John  ThrelkeUl  a  lot  on  Lafayette  Street,  Georgetown,  where 
they  oj)enud  an  Academy,  ])ut  on  the  death  of  the  Abbess  in 
1805  the  other  Sisters  returned  to  Euro|)e.' 

In  1801  there  were  monks  from  Mount  St.  Bernard  and 
Mount  St.  (tothard  in  Boston.* 


tinn  of  a  Prifuce  and  a  few  notes."    Philndi-lphia  :  Johnston  &  Justice, 
1  :«•,',  pp.  58. 

'  Bishop  Carroll  to  Bishop  of  Quel)ec,  January  15, 1794,  April  24, 1795. 

*  De  C'ourcy,  "  Catholic  Church  in  the  United  Slaten,"  \rw  York, 
ls.5«,  p.  79.  The  Mother  Abliess  was  interred  in  the  Cemetery  of  the 
Sulpitians  at  Baltimore. 

'  Rev.  F.  A.  Matignon  to  Bishop  Carroll,  September  10,  1801. 


HIS  PUBLIC  SPIRIT. 


413 


In  the  autumn  of  1794  Bishop  Carroll  visited  Philailelphia, 
and  wo  tind  him  performing  a  nuirriago  at  St.  Joseph'^  on 
the  23d  of  October.'     But  about  the  middle  of  December 
hu  was  stricken  down  by  a  serious  tit  of  illness,  and  for  more 
than  two  months  could  do  nothing  for  himself,  and  was  not 
able  to  say  mass ;  even  late  in  February,  after  a  slight  re- 
covery, he  had  a  relapse,  and  could  barely  pen  a  few  lines  to 
the  pious  Carmelites,  thanking  them  for  a  share  in  their 
prayers.     "  No  one  can  stand  in  greater  need  of  it,— hal)it- 
ually,  I  may  say,  but  lately  in  pjirticular." '     As  summer 
came  on  he  went  to  Georgetown  to  recover  from  the  effects 
of  his  long  illness  by  the  country  air  and  gentle  exercise." 

Bishop  Carroll  in  1795  was  at  the  head  of  a  movement  to 
establish  a  public  library  in  Baltimore,  and  the  Library  Com- 
pany which  he  was  active  in  organizing  formed  a  line  collec- 
tion of  books,  many  of  which  are  still  preserved  on  the 
shelves  of  the  Maryland  Historical  Society,  to  attest  the  love 
of  learning  and  public  spirit  of  the  first  Catholic  Bishop  of 
the  United  States.  The  Rov.  Mr.  Perigny.  a  French  priest 
and  Doctor  of  ihe  Sorbonne,  who  attended  Carroll's  Manor, 
was  the  first  Librarian.*  Biishop  Carroll  was  also  active  in 
the  formation  of  "The  Maryland  Society  for  Promoting 
Useful  Knowledge,"  organized  in  1800.' 

When  the  death  of  the  Ilev.  Ljiwrence  Graessel,  Bishop- 
elect,  was  made  known  to  the  Holy  See,  Dr.  Carroll  was  re- 
quested to  make  another  selection.  This  time  the  choice  fell 
on  the  Rev.  Leonard  Neale,  whose  zeal,  sanctity,  and  experi- 
ence commanded  universal  respect.     The  nomination  was 


>  Bishop  (^irroU  to  the  Mother  Superior.  February  20,  1795. 

'  Same  to  Archbishop  Troy,  .lune  22,  1T95. 

»  Dilhet,  ■•  Etat  ile  I'Eglise."        ■■  Register,  cited  iu  W.  L..  iii.,  p.  101. 

<■  Schurf,  pp.  277,  291. 


fr     ' 


n 


iillf .' 


!'Au\\ 


V        ' 


rl 


;  ji'l 


4U 


LlFJi  OF  AhCHBlUHOF  CAHHOLL. 


Vt      ■  ,5 


pk'iiHinjf  to  tlic  Sovcroijfn  Pontiff,  who,  on  the  17tli  of  April, 
I7f>A,  imnetl  Bulla  appointing  him  Hisliop  of  (iortyna  and 
foiuijntor  of  Haltiniort'.  These  Ifulffl  were  uxjKHlited  tiirougii 
the  "  Con^'i-egation  du  I'ropagundii  Fide,"  and  forwanltnl  hy 
«onie  devioiiH  route,  the  French  revolution  making  it  iniixw- 
«ihle  to  transmit  them  through  tiie  Nuncio  at  Paris,  as  on 
the  former  occasion.  Bishop  Carroll  waited  month  after 
month  for  an}'  tiding  of  tlio  missing  documents,  but  they 
never  came  to  his  hands. 

Meanwhile  the  coadjutor-elect  was  laboring  with  all  zeal 
in  I'hiladclphia,  with  jHjwer  m  Vicar-Cieneral.  The  yellctw 
fever,  which  renewed  its  ravages  in  1797  and  the  following 
year,  afforded  the  Catholic  clergy  another  oociision  to  display 
their  heroic  devotedness.  Two  priests  died  of  the  terrilde 
diseasi'  in  that  city  in  1798:  they  were  the  Rev.  Michael 
Ennis  and  the  Rev.  Joteph  la  (irange,  and  lw.'fore  the  close 
of  the  next  year  another  priest,  stationed  at  St.  Mary's,  the 
Rev.  John  liurke,  was  also  called  from  this  world.  iJuring 
the  yellow  fever  of  17!>S,  two  hundred  and  seventy-six  i)er- 
sons  were  interred  in  the  two  Catholic  cemeteries — St.  Mary's 
for  all  who  <lid  not  speak  Gernum,  and  Holy  Trinity  for 
those  who  did.  This  wa«  not  the  whole  Catholic  h)88,  as 
many  doubtless  foimd  a  final  resting-place  in  the  ground  al- 
lotted for  the  ])oor. 

Many  of  the  victims  of  the  scourge  left  beliind  them  help- 
less young  children,  whose  Ix-reaved  state  aj)|>ealed  to  the 
charity  of  the  faithful.  An  association  was  formed  to  shelter 
and  support  these  orphans,  who  were  first  placed  in  a  house 
<»n  the  west  side  of  Sixth  Street,  adjoining  the  Church  of  the 
iloly  Trinity.  This  little  Orphans'  Home  l)ecame  in  time 
St.  Joseph's  Catholic  Orphan  Asylum.' 


'  Westcott,  "A  History  of  Philiult'l|)liia."  ch.  ccclxv. 


RT.  REV.  LEONARD  Nf  ALE. 


41« 


Aiiiid  nil  tlio  oarcH  nnd  duties  of  his  poHitioii  nt  Philndel- 
pliiii,  till'  Uev.  Leonard  Neule  never  lot-t  that  interior  Hpirit 
which  made  him  a  maHter  of  npiritual  life  and  au  tMe  di- 
rector of  bouIh  in  the  way  of  perfectio  i.     Among  thoHC  who 
goiiji;ht  luH  eounnel  was  Miw  Aliee  Lakir,  a  native  of  Queen's 
County,  Ireland,  wlio  came  to  Philadelihia  with  her  jiarents 
in  17U7.     She  had   long  desired  to  enter  the  religious  life, 
nnd  had  promised  JMshoj)  Ijinigan  f)f  Ossory  to  return  to 
Irelatul  in  two  years  in  order  to  enter  a  (convent  in  his  dio- 
cese.    Tlie  Uev.  Mr.  Nealc  found  in  her  a  soul  so  gifted  that 
he  felt  convinced  she  was  the  instnnncnt  sent  hy  Providence 
to  found  a  religious  connnunity  such  as  he  had  long  desired 
to  establish  in  IMiiladelphia.     Two  other  ladies  joined  her, 
and  they  oi)ened  an  academy  for  the  instruction  of  young  \wr- 
sons  of  their  own  sex.     Peforc  their  estahlishment  had  been 
solidly  establisheil  the  yellow  fever  broke  out,  and  Miss  Lalor 
beheld  her  two  companions  sink  as  victims  to  its  violejice. 
The  project  of  a  community  in  Philadelphia  was  thus  defeated. 
In  17'.)9  Bishop  Carroll  was  reluctantly  com|H'lled  to  with- 
draw Rev.  Mr.  Nealo  from  that  city,     (ieorgetown  College, 
which  had  for  some  years  been  directed  by  the  Rev.  William 
I)u  Bourg  as  President,  now  required  a  jiriest  of  learning 
and  ability  to  succeed  him.     No  one  seemed  to  possess  the 
(pialifications  necessary  except  Rev.  Leonard  Neale,  who,  at 
the  Bishop's  desire,  became  President  6f  Georgetown  College. 
Miss  I^ilor,  with  a  c«)mpanion  who  had  joined  her,  also  pro- 
ceeded to  that  city,  and  they  became  teachers  in  the  Academy 
of  the  Poor  Clares.     As  that  community  was  evidently  not 
to  remain  in  the  country,  their  director  advised  them  to  open 
a  school    independently.     A  third   lady  from   Philadelphia 
soon  joined  them,  bringing  a  dowry,  part  of  which  was  em- 
ployed in  the  purchase  of  a  liouse,  which  stood  in  the  grounds 
of  the  present  convent. 


li-\- 


J-iil 


mx^ms^m-'imwmassm/SiK?.^ 


416 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


!l 


These  pious  ladies  had  as  yet  no  rule,  except  the  temporary 
one  given  hy  their  director.  He  was  greatly  in  favor  of  the 
rule  of  the  Visitation  Nuns,  founded  by  Saint  Jane  Frances 
de  Chantal,  under  the  guidance  of  Saint  Francis  de  Sales. 
In  the  dearth  of  Catholic  books  in  this  country  at  that  time 
no  copy  of  the  rule  of  that  institute  could  be  found,  until  at 
last  a  happy  discovery  of  a  copy  was  made  in  the  library  of 
the  Poor  Clares.  The  penisal  of  the  Rules  and  Constitution 
of  the  Visitation  confirmed  Miss  Lalor  and  her  associates,  as 
well  as  their  director,  in  the  wish  to  adopt  it.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Ts'eale  endeavored  to  obtain  a  few  nuns  of  that  order  from 
Europe  to  found  a  community  in  America  and  form  his 
penitents  to  the  spirit  and  practice  of  the  rule  of  the  holy 
Bishop  of  Geneva :  but  he  failed  in  every  attempt.  Diffi- 
culties arose  here  also.  Some  of  the  faint-hearted  deplored 
the  attempt  to  found  another  convent,  and  figured  to  their 
minds  all  terrors  from  Protestant  prejudice.  Bishop  Carroll 
himself  thought  that  his  coadjutor-elect  would  act  more 
wisely  by  sending  Miss  Lalor  and  her  companions  to  join 
the  Carmelites  at  Port  Tobacco.  A  lady  of  means  tempted 
them  by  offering  to  go  to  Ireland  to  obtain  a  colony  of  Ursii- 
Une  Nuns,  if  they  would  agree  to  enter  that  order  ;  but  the 
'•  PiouB  Lidies,"  as  they  were  known,  felt  called  to  be  Visi- 
tation Nuns,  and  they  awaited  in  loving  patience  the  work- 
ings of  Divine  Providence,  who,  they  felt,  would  in  His  own 
good  time  give  the  means  to  do  His  will.' 

On  the  17th  of  December,  1795,  Bishop  Carroll  ordained 
to  the  priesthood  the  Rev.  John  Floyd,  a  native  of  England, 
wlio  had  been  drawn  to  the  Church  by  the  narrative  of 
Thayer's  conversion,  and  by  his  advice  had  entered  the  Sem- 


'  Dc  Cotircy, 
ia56,  pp.  7»-«2. 


Catholic  Church  ia  the  United  States,"  New  Yorlt. 


REV.  JOHN  FLOYD. 


417 


inary  of  St.  Sulpice  at  Paris.     He  came  to  the  United  States 
with  Kev.  Mr.  Nagot,  and  bad  been  witb  Eev.  Mr.  Gamier 
as  a  catechist  at  Fell's  Point.     The  Bishop  placed  hhn  in 
charge  of  that  mission,  and  the  zealous  priest  undertook  bis 
dut/with  zeal  and  energy.     The  congregation  v/as  poor,  but 
inspired  by  him  they  leased  a  lot  on  Apple  Alley,  near  Wilks 
Street,  and  here  Rev.  Mr.  Floyd  erected  St.  Patrick's  church, 
a  modest  structure  thirty-five  feet  wide  by  forty-two  deep. 
It  was  to  a  great  extent  reared  by  the  voluntary  work  of  the 
men  of  the  congregation,  who  brought  more  good-will  than 
mechanical  skill ;  and  the  little  church  which  stood  at  a  dis- 
tance from  the  street,  beyond  a  court  lined  with  tall  poplars, 
was  from  the  first  frail  and  insecure,  but  it  afforded  great 
consolation  to  the  CathoUcs  of  that  portion  of  Baltimore. 
As  parish  priest  the  Rev.  Mr.  Floyd  was  untiring,  ever  ful- 
filling all  his  duties  at  the  church,  and  prompt  in  answer- 
iiiir  every  call ;  he  was  also  constantly  seeking  out  Catholics 
who  had  grown  lax  in  their  faith  or  the  practice  of  their  re- 
ligion ;  and,  poor  himself,  was  ever  soliciting  aid  for  some 
destitute  person  whose  miseries  his  zealous  eye  had  detected. 
After  offering  the  holy  sacrifice  on  Sunday,  September  4, 
1797,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Floyd  was  told  that  a  person  dying  of 
yellow  fever  required  his  services.     Still  fasting,  he  hastened 
to  the  bedside  of  the  sufferer,  whom  he  prepared  for  a  Chris- 
tian end.     When  he  returned  and  sat  down  to  take  some 
nourishment,  he  was  stricken  down  with  the  fatal  disease. 
He  was  removed  to  the  house  of  Bishop  Carroll,  and  though 
every  effort  was  nuule  to  siive  him,  he  expired  on  the  follow- 
ing Thursday,  in  the  29th  year  of  his  age,  after  exhibiting  in 
his  brief  priestly  career  every  high  quality  that  can  ennoble 
a  minister  of  God.' 


He  was  buried,  as  he  had  requested,  before  the  door  of  the  churcli, 


18* 


'■  t'fil 

I  J  iiS. 


m 


418 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


4 


1 1 


The  Rev.  Mr.  Gamier  resumed  the  charge  of  the  little 
flock,  his  great  learning  and  talents,  which  in  time  raised 
him  to  the  position  of  Superior-General  of  the  Society  of  St. 
Sulpice,  being  combined  with  tender  piety  and  a  deep  hu- 
mility, that  made  him  cling  with  holy  joy  to  the  mission 
work  among  the  poor.  He  relinquished  the  care  of  St. 
Patrick's  in  1803  to  the  Rev.  Michael  Cuddy,  who,  after  a 
course  at  Georgetown"  and  St.  Mary's,  had  been  raised  to  the 
priesthood  by  Bishop  Carroll,  and  appointed  first  resident 
pastor  of  the  church  at  Fell's  Point.  Like  Rev.  Mr.  P'loyd 
he  died  a  victim  of  charity  ;  rivalling  him  in  zeal  and  devo- 
tedness,  he,  too,  took  the  yellow  fever  while  attending  the 
sick,  and  died  on  the  5th  of  October,  1804.' 

A  matter  of  deep  and  serious  import  soon  demanded  the 
action  of  Bishop  Carroll.  Hitherto  the  Catholics  in  all  parts 
and  of  all  origins,  had  been  simply  Catholics;  now,  however, 
the  question  of  nationality  arose,  and  some  were  found  who 
no  longer  wished  to  worsln'p  beside  their  fellow-Catholics, 
but  insisted  on  having  a  separate  church  and  priest  especially 
to  themselves. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Ilelbron  had  done  so  nnieh  to  foment  this 
schismatic  spirit  in  Philadelphia,  that  Dr.  Carroll,  when  he 
went  to  Europe  to  Imj  consecrated  Bishop,  requested  the  Su- 
perior of  that  religious  to  recall  him  ;  but  such  representa- 
tions were  made  at  iiome,  that  to  avoid  greater  difficuUies, 
Bishop  Carroll  finally  consented  to  the  organization  of  Trinity 
Church,  and  in  August,  1791,  appointed  Rev.  Mr.  Ilelbron 
to  be  the  first  pastor.  Many  of  the  German  Catholics  of 
Philadelphia  had  been  averse  to  the  scheme  of  a  separate 

but  Mrs.  Barry,  a  pfrsonnl  friend  of  Bishop  Carroll,  pr('Ct«'<l  a  tablet  to 
comnu'nioriitc  tlie  devott-d  priest.     Diliiet,  "  Etut  de  lEglise,"  etc. 

'  B.  U.  Camplwll,  "  Desultory  Sttetclies  of  the  Catholic  Church  in 
3Iaryland";  '•  U.  8.  Cath.  Mug.!"  i..  pp.  39-MJ. 


SCHISM  IN  PHILADELPHIA. 


419 


cliurcb,  but  when  once  the  church  was  open,  a  considerable 
number  began  to  attend  it.     Before  long  another  German 
priest,  Rev.  John  Nepomucene  Goetz,  arrived,  with  such  tes- 
timonials that  Bishop  Carroll  received  him  into  his  diocese, 
and  in  1796  made  him  assistant  priest  at  the  Church  of  the 
Holy  Trinity.     No  sooner  was  he  there,  than  he  intrigued  to 
supplant  Father  Ilelbron,  so  adroitly  that  the  trustees  carry- 
ing their  schismatic  usurpations  further,  ordered  their  lawful 
pastor  to  leave,  threatening  him  with  legal  prosecution  if  he 
did  not.     In  defiance  of  the  Bishop  they  elected  Goetz  pas- 
tor of  the  church.'     Father  Helbron  retired  with  the  sound 
portion  of   the  congregation   to   St.  Joseph's.     Goetz  was 
threatened  with  suspension  if  he  attempted  to  act  under  the 
appointment  of  the  ti-ustees ;  yet  he  jjersisted  and  his  facul- 
ties were  at  once  withdrawn  by  the  Bishop."     But  he  disre- 
garded all  authority  and  continued  to  ofticiate  with  another 
l)nest  named  Filing,  till  he  was  formally  exconmiunicated. 
Even  then  the  trustees  refused  to  yield  ;  they  rejected  the  au- 
thority of  the  Pope  "  as  of  a  foreign  jurisdiction."  ' 

Bishop  Carroll  visited  Philadelphia  to  endeavor,  if  possi- 
ble, to  arrest  these  excesses,  but  he  had  scarcely  arrived  be- 
fore he  was  served  with  a  writ,  and  brought  into  court  like  a 
criminal,  there  to  hear  from  the  lawyers  of  the  schismatics' 


•  "  After  this,"  snys  Bishop  Carroll,  '  the  intruder  received  from  the 
same  Triistt-es  a  pretended  uppointniont  to  the  pastoral  office,  that  is,  the 
power  of  loosening  and  binding  ;  of  administering  the  Holy  Eucharist  to 
the  faithful  of  Owi's  church  ;  of  teaching  and  preaching,  and  performmg 
all  those  duties  which  being  in  their  nature  entirely  spiritual,  can  never 
be  within  the  jurisiliction  of,  or  subject  to  the  dispensation  of  the  laity, 
but  were  committed  by  Christ  to  the  Apostles  alone,  and  to  their  succes- 
sors in  the  government  of  their  respective  churches."-"  Pastoral  to  the 
Congregation  of  Trinity  Church,"  p.  3. 

'  Letter  of  Very  Rev.  Leonard  Neale  to  Right  Rev.  John  Carroll. 

'  Pastoral  Letter,  p.  5. 


¥> 


m4 1 


N  ■■■■ 


-  '■*r« 


-^-.^L;i.|jmfJlg'^i 


420 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


church,  as  he  himself  states,  the  fculest  abuse  of  the  Catho- 
lie  Church,  its  laws,  doctrine,  pastors,  governinent,  the  Pope, 
the  Council  of  Trent,  etc.,  as  if  they  had  ransacked  all  Prot- 
estant libraries  to  defame  it.  The  trustees  sat  cumplacentlv 
by  doing  nothing  to  check  the  torrent  of  invective,  while  their 
counsel  in  their  behalf  denied  that  Dr.  Carroll  was  their  bishop, 
and  maintained  that  Trinity  Church  was  out  of  his  juristlii- 
tion,  that  he  was  merely  bishop  of  other  nationalities ! ' 
These  misguided  men  persisted  for  some  years  in  their  wicked 
course,  although  B'shop  Carroll  on  the  22d  of  February,  1797, 
aditressed  a  pastoral  letter  to  the  congregation  of  Trinity 
Church,  so  full  of  Christian  charity,  and  so  convincing  in  its 
exposition  of  Catholic  doctrine  and  discipline,  that  one  of  his 
successors,  in  a  similar  crisis  reprinted  it,  .is  the  clearest  and 
most  perfect  exposition  of  what  the  Church  required  of  her 
children.'  But  his  words  at  the  time  fell  unheeded.  The 
men  who  had  broken  the  bond  of  Catholic  unity,  to  set  up  a 
national  church,  claimed  for  it  independence  of  any  but  a 
Bishop  of  their  own  nationality,'  and  as  against  any  and  all 


'  Right  Rev.  John  Carroll  to  J.  Oellers,  one  of  the  schismatics,  No- 
vember 19,  1801. 

'  ".lohn,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  and  with  the  approbation  of  the  Holy 
8e<',  Bishop  of  Baltimore,  to  my  iR-loved  Brethren,  of  the  Conjrregation 
of  Trinity  Church,  Philadelphia,"  Baltimore,  February  22,  1797.  «  pp., 
4to.     Printed  by  ,1.  Hayes. 

'  Bishop  Carroll,  addressing  the  Canlinal  Prefect  of  the  Propaganda, 
wrote  :  "  If  any  action  is  Uiken  to  divide  this  most  vast  dioce^ie,  I  would 
hear  with  great  pleasure  that  this  had  been  done  by  the  Holy  See.  as  I  de- 
sired it  done  in  my  letters  in  1792  :  and  it  was  my  purpose  to  solicit  it  as 
soon  as  !  was  sure  of  having  a  coadjutor  to  sucewd  me  in  this  see.  It  will, 
however.  »X'  for  you  in  your  wisdom  to  decide  whether  this  can  be  done 
safely  now,  while  these  comnuttions  lessen  ecclesiastical  jurisdiction.  For 
I  solemnly  aver  that  those  who  excite  these  troubles  maintained  in  my 
presence  by  their  lawyers  in  a  public  tribunal,  and  tipheld  with  all  their 
niitrht,  that  all  distinction  between  onler  and  jurisdiction  was  arbitrary 
and  fictitious  ;  that  all  right  to  exercise  ecclesiastical  ministrj-  was  derived 


SCHISM  IN  PHILADELPHIA. 


421 


bishops,  flaiiued  the  right  of  commissioning  priests  to  offer 
the  holy  sacriiice  and  grant  absolution  in  the  tribunal  of  pen- 
ance. The  schism  and  rebeUion  at  Trinity  Church  contin- 
ued, and  it  was  not  until  1802  that  the  trustees  or  the  rector, 
Rev.  Mr.  Elling,  who  had  joined  the  schismatics,  yielded  to 
Bishop  Carroll,  and  acknowledged  that  they  were  subject  to 
the  Bishop  of  I3altimore.  The  people  iiad  grown  weary  of 
the  condition  in  which  the  factious  priests  had  placed  them, 
but  Rev.  Mr.  Elling  hesitated  about  announcing  that  they 
must  rectify  their  consciences,  after  having  employed  his 
ministry  when  he  was  suspended. 

The  Bishop  wrote  to  the  clergyman  :  "  Recollect,  I  be- 
seech you,  the  doctrine  you  imbibed,  the  principles  you 
brought  from  Rome,  and  you  nmst  admit  this  as  a  necessary 
condition,  with  which  it  exceeds  my  power  to  dispense. 
This  duty  may  be  performed  as  privately  as  possible,  but  it 
must  be  performed.  It  becomes  you  in  a  special  manner  to 
encourage  it ;  and  I  trust  in  God  that  your  doing  it,  will  be 
accepted  by  Almighty  God,  as  a  satisfaction  for  every  irreg- 
ularity heretofore  committed.  The  sooner  you  do  it,  the 
greater  will  be  the  benefit  to  those  who  rely  on  you.  Con- 
sunnnate,  my  dear  Sir,  the  sacrifice  you  owe  to  God,  and  ex- 
ample to  his  church,  and  especially  to  the  flock,  whicli  is  to 
be  committed  to  your  charge.     Every  day  of  delay  increases 


"J   1 


from  the  people ;  and  tbat  the  bishop  had  no  power  except  to  impose 
blinds  on  the  perso"  whom  the  people  presented  as  their  chosen  minirter ; 
or  to  inquire  whctlior  hands  had  been  previously  imposed  on  him.  Tlien 
they  deny  that  they  are  or  ever  have  been  subject  to  my  episcopal  au- 
thority ;  and  when  the  words  of  the  Pope's  brief  were  shown  them,  in 
which  all  the  faithful  in  the  United  Stptes  are  subjected  in  spiritual  gov- 
ernment to  the  bishop,  they  impudently  dared  to  assail  the  brief  as  im- 
posing a  yoke  on  them  contrary  to  the  American  laws.  And  yet  these 
are  the  men  who  are  now  sending  an  agent  to  the  Holy  See  to  obtain 
what  had  never  before  been  granted." 


Li  3,  _  . . 


422 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


tlie  diflBculty  and  multiplies  offences.  Dishonor  springs  from 
perseverance  in  a  wrong  course,  and  not  from  a  retractation 
of  error  or  misconduct.  Your  own  conscience  is  involved, 
as  well  as  that  of  others,  and  you  must  surely  wish  ardently 
for  the  moment  of  restoring  tranquillity  to  your  mind.  How 
joyfully  will  I  meet  you  when  this  is  done,  and  with  how 
much  pleasure  will  we  discourse,  at  your  intended  visit,  on 
jour  proposal  for  the  extension  of  the  true  faith." 

Elling  yielded,  and  was  appointed  by  the  Bishop  to  Trinity 
Church,  and  the  Trustees  put  an  end  to  the  schism  by  the 
following  document : 

"  We  the  Trustees  of  the  German  Religious  Society  of 
Roman  Catholics  of  the  Holy  Trinity  Church  in  the  City  of 
Philadeli)liia,  Do  hereby  acknowledge  for  ourselves,  and  our 
constituents,  members  worshipping  in  the  said  church,  that 
we  hold  ourselves  subject  to  the  Episcopal  authority,  and 
jurisdiction  of  the  Bishop  of  Baltimore  for  the  time  being, 
and  according  to  the  tt'uor  of  the  Brief  of  his  Holiness  of 
pious  memory,  Pius  sixth,  for  the  erection  of  the  Episcopal 
See  of  Baltimore,  and  we  promise  to  yield  true  obedience  to 
the  said  Bishop  conformably  to  the  powers  lawfully  vested 
in  him. 

"  In  witness  whereof,  the  sjiid  Tnistees  of  the  German 
Religious  Society  of  Roman  Catholics  of  the  Holy  Trinity 
Church  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia  have  set  their  hands  and 
caused  the  seal  of  their  Corjioration  to  be  affixed  this  29th 
day  of  January,  Anno  Domini  18(t2. 

"James  Oellers,  Adam  Preniir,  Charles  Bnreman,  Bal- 
thazar X  Kneil,  Georgius  Waltmor,  Mathias  Knebel,  Johan 
Ci.nrad."  ' 


'  It  wiis  n  rurimis  illustration  of  the  iiiipoliry  f)f  sepanitc  cliurohes  in 
this  country  timt  when  Fiithcr  Adam  Hritt.  K.J.,  was  sent  to  the  Church 
of  the  Holy  Trinity  in  18('7,  many  of  the  congregation  no  longer  knew 


SCHISM  IN  BALTIMORE. 


498 


Before  this  was  done  eiinilar  trouble  arose  in  Baltimore ; 
a  priest,  placed  at  the  pro-cathedral  to  take  charge  of  the 
Germans,  urged  them  to  demand  a  separate  church.     So 
little  were  the  German  Catholics  able  to  maintain  a  clnirch 
and  pastor  that  Father  Keuter,  after  a  year's  trial,  finding 
that  the  congregation  could  not  support  him,  returned  to 
Germany.     Making  his  way  to  Rome  he  brought  the  most 
false  and  absurd  charges  against  Jiishop  Carroll,  saying  that 
he  would  not  permit  the  German  Catholics  to  be  instructed 
in  their  own  language,  and  that  he  excommunicated  those 
who  preached  in  German.'     Bishop  Carroll,  then  about  to 
commence  his  own  cathedral,  declined  to  permit  a  step  hi 
Baltimore  which  had  proved  so  prejudicial  in  Philadelphia, 
more  especially  as  there  were  not  thirty  Germans  in  Balti- 
more who  did  not  speak  English,  and  their  children  all  were 
more  familiar  with   English   than  with   German.      Father 
Eeuter  returned,  pretending  to  have  powers  from  the  Holy 
See  to  erect  a  church  which  was  to  be  independent  of  the 
Bishop.     He  made  common  cause  with  the  excomnninicated 
priests  in  Philadelphia  and  got  uj)  a  petition  to  the  Holy  See 
to  erect  a  German  diocese  in  the  United  States  for  Catholics 
of  that  language.     Bishop  Carroll  suspended  him,  Imt  in  a 
visit  to  Europe  Father  Reuter  obtained  a  release  from  the 
censures,  though  he  was  forbidden  to  return  to  the  United 
Statas.     Meanwhile  the  Germans  had  gone  on  and  built  St. 
John's  church,  and  though  Dr.  Carroll  refused  to  give  Reuter 
faculties,  the  trustees  plunged  into  schism :  they  defied  the 
BJBhop,  forcibly  prevented  his  entrance  into  the  church,  and 
elected  Reuter  pastor. 


German  enough  to  make  their  cotifessiona  in  that  language,  and  he  did 
not  know  English  enough  to  hear  them  in  it.— F.  Kohlmann  to  F.  Strick 
land,  February  iiS,  1807. 
'  Archbishop  Brancadoro  to  Bishop  Carroll,  April  23, 1798. 


Ul 


mni 


ill 


If 


HI 


424 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


\i  '.  ', 


At  one  time  Rev.  Mr.  Renter  showed  a  disposition  to  sub- 
mit, and  Bisnop  Carroll  wrote  him  November  19,  1801,  that 
he  would  judge  of  his  sincere  disposition  to  do  right  after  he 
had  admitted  in  writing:  "1.  That  lie  recognizes  no  other 
ecclesiastical  jurisdiction  in  the  diocese  of  Baltimore  except 
that  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  and  that  of  the  ordinary.  2. 
That  all  Catholics  in  the  diocese,  of  whatever  nation,  are 
subject  to  that  authority.  3.  That  no  priest  can,  without 
the  approl)ation  of  siud  authority,  exercise  any  function  of 
the  ministry  in  said  diocese,  or  beyond  the  limits  prescribed 
by  the  bishop." 

But  after  the  trustees,  headed  by  Shorb,  prevented  Bishop 
Carroll  from  entering  St.  John's  church,  on  the  15th  of  Jan- 
uary, 1804,  he  wrote  them  that  as  they  felt  no  shame  or  re- 
morse  for  the  scandalous  breach  of  divine  and  ecclesiastical 
institutions,  he  considered  it  highly  improper  to  listm  to  any 
proposals  from  them  till  they  offered  reparation  for  the  griev- 
ous misconduct  of  which  they  had  been  the  authors  or  prin- 
cipal instruments. 

He  summoned  Father  Reuter  to  appear  liefore  him  on  the 
19th  to  make  satisfaction  for  his  public  and  notorious  viola- 
tion of  pontiiicjil  and  episcopal  jurisdiction.' 

Bishop  Carroll  resolved  to  settle  the  question  forever  in 
the  courts,  and  appointing  as  pastor  the  Rev.  F.  X.  Brosius, 
a  learned  German  priest,  who  had  accompanied  Prince  Gallit- 
zin  to  America,  obtained  a  writ  of  mandamus  to  compel  the 
trustees  to  receive  liira.  In  their  return  to  the  writ,  Reuter 
and  his  trustees  set  up  that  by  the  fundamental  laws,  usjiges, 
and  cjinons  of  the  German  Catholic  Church,  the  meml)er8  of 
the  church  "  had  the  sole  and  exclusive  right  of  nominating 
and  apjxiinting  their  pastor,  and  that  no  other  i>erson  whether 


'  Bishop  Carroll  to  J  Shorb,  etc.,  Januarj'  16,  1804. 


THE  AUGUSTINIANS. 


425 


Bishop  or  Pope  have  a  rifrht  to  appoint  a  pastor  without  tlie 
assent  and  approbation  of  tlie  congregation  or  a  majority  of 
the  same  ";  they  also  set  up  the  defence  that  tliey  had  ynit 
the  church  under  the  coTitrol  of  "  Minorits  Conventuals  of 
the  order  of  St.  Francis,"  and  that  "  Renter  and  the  Church 
owed  obedience  to  the  civil  magistrate  and  to  tliat  order,  and 
to  no  other  ecclesiastical  person  or  body  whatever."  They 
could,  of  course,  cite  no  canons  or  rules  of  the  Catholic 
Church  to  justify  their  action,  and  the  General  Court,  after 
a  full  argument  of  the  case,  decided  against  them  in  ISIay, 

1805.' 

After  perusing  this  saddening  episode,  which,  however, 
may  not  be  without  its  lessons,  it  will  console  the  reader  to 
consider  the  progress  of  the  Church  in  other  parts. 

Not  long  after  Bishop  Carroll's  return  to  his  diocese,  a 
single  priest  of  the  Augustinian  order  in  Ireland,  Rev.  John 
Rosseter,  arrived  in  the  Republic,  whose  independence  he 
had  helped  to  establish,  for  he  had  been  an  olficer  in  Ro- 
chambeau's  army  here  during  the  Revolutiojiary  War,  but 
returning  to  Europe,  entered  the   Augustinian  order,  and 
was  once  more  on  our  soil,  to  fight  battles  no  less  glorious. 
He  was  welcomed  by  Bishop  Carroll,  who  stationed  him 
about  thirty  miles  from  Philadelphia,  apparently  at  Wilming- 
ton in  Delaware.     In  1795  he  was  followed  by  the  Rev. 
Matthev  Carr  from  St.  Augustine's  convent  in  John  Street, 
Dublin,  bnt  educated  at  Paris  and  Bordeaux,  who  came  pur- 
])08ely  to  found  a  cluirch  and  house  of  the  Hermits  of  St. 
Augustine  in  this  country.     lie  was  accompanied  or  followed 
by  the  Rev.  Michael  Ennis,  a  priest  friendly  to  the  order, 
who  was  stitioned  at  St.  Mary's,  Philadelphia.     In  the  sum- 
mer offers  of  a  site  at  Wilmington  and  of  means  to  begin 


Mm 


'  Pajiers  of  the  suit  in  my  bands. 


■   <i 


s'lf 

"     ill 

A  ,     i     1.1, 


■i} 


■miHi 


426 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


erecting  a  church  were  iniule.  This  project,  however,  led  to 
no  definite  results,  and  as  early  as  July  II,  170<),  the  Auj^us- 
tinian  Fatiiers  obtained  the  deed  of  a  plot  of  ground  on  Fourth 
Street,  Philadelphia,  below  Vine  Street,  seventy-Hve  feet  front 
by  one  hundred  and  seventy-tive  in  depth.  Here  the  corner- 
stniie  of  the  Church  of  St.  Augustine  was  laid  in  SeptenilKr, 
A  lil»eral  subscription  was  opened,  in  which  (Jeneral  Wash- 
ington and  many  other  rrotestants  ai)peared  as  contributors.' 

8IONATCRE  OF   REV.    MATTHEW   CAHR,    O.B.A. 

Pishop  Carroll  encouraged  the  establishment  of  a  province 
of  the  order  of  St,  Augustine;  and  he  directed  the  attention 
of  the  pioneer  priests  of  that  order  to  the  West.  "  I  wished, 
indeed,  that  they  would  have  directed  their  views  for  an  es- 
tijblishment  towards  our  great  western  country,  on  and  con- 
tiguous to  the  river  Ohio,  because  if  able  and  apostolical  men 
could  be  obtained  to  enter  on  that  field,  it  seems  to  me  that 
it  would  become  a  most  flourishing  portion  of  the  Church  of 
Christ,  and  there  the  means  of  future  subsistence  may  be  se- 
cured now,  for  a  very  trifling  consideration.  I  have  made 
known  to  them  my  opinion,  leaving  them,  however,  at  full 
lil)erty  to  determine  for  themselves,  and  Philadelphia  seems 


'  Battcrsby,  "  History  of  nil  the  Abbeys,  Convents,  Churches,  etc.,  of 
the  Ileriuitsof  St.  Aiijrusline  in  Ireland,"  Dublin,  185«,  p.  75;  Thomp- 
son Westcott,  "  A  Memoir  of  the  Very  Rev.  Michael  Hurley,  D.i)., 
OS.A.,"  in  Records  of  "A.  C,  Hist.  Soc,"  i.,  pp.  1(16-7;  same,  "A 
ni>tory  of  Philadelphia";  Bishop  Carroll  to  Archbishop  Troy,  .lune  2'.;. 
17U.");  Archbishop  Troy  to  Bishop  Carroll.  Auf,nist  13,  1796;  Rev.  Mi- 
<  Imel  Ennis  to  the  Prior  of  -Sau  Mateo,  Home,  September  4,  December  S 
1795. 


ST.  AUGUSTINE'S  CHURCH. 


427 


now  to  iMj  the  place  of  their  choice,  quod  felix  faustuiiniue 

bit." ' 

Father  (^arr  applied  to  Rome  for  the  necessary  aiitlionty 

to  establish  convents  of  his  order  in  the  diocese  of  Balti- 
more, and  an  indnlt  to  that  etfect  was  granted  May  27,  HUT, 
to  take  etfect  only  with  the  approbation  and  permission  of 
Bishop  Carroll.  This  was  readi'y  given  and  the  Augustinian 
conuMunitv  in  the  United  States  was  erected  into  a  province 
under  the\itle  of  "The  Blessed  Virgin  of  Good  Counsel," 
and  the  Rev.  Father  Matthew  Carr  was  named  Vicar-Cieneral 
i.f  the  Province  and  Superior  of  the  :Mi8siou.' 

It  was  the  Hrst  attempt  of  Regulars  from  Ireland  to  estab- 
Ush  filiations  in  this  country,  and  strangely  enough  the  only 
one  till  the  Trappists  founded  New  :Melleray. 

Father  (^irr  wius  a  man  of  learning  and  ability;  his  elo- 
(juence  in  the  pulpit  made  him  remarkably  attractive  and 
popular  in  those  davs,  but  he  was  not  calculated  to  build  up 
a  religious  conununity.  His  habits  were  so  ill-suited  to  con- 
vent Me,  that  his  fellow-re 'igious  soon  asked  Bishop  Carroll 
to  give  them  mission-work  in  other  fields. 

The  Superior,  however,  stationed  at  St.  Mary's  kept  on 
with  his  W(.rk,  though  it  progressed  slowly,  and  a  lottery  xv-as 
resorted  to  before  the  necessary  funds  were  obtamed.  The 
church,  a  plain,  u.uuiorned  building,  was  at  last  dedicated 

June  7,  18'»1-' 

In  Pennsvlvania,  Lancaster  was  attended  from  1789  to 
1791  by  Rev.  John  Cluirles  Ilelbron ;  he  was  succeeded  by 
liev    Willian»  Filing,  already  alluded  to.     This  clergyman 


'  Bishop  Carroll  to  Archbishop  Troy,  May  2.5,  1796. 

»  Cardinal  Gcrdil.  Trefect  of  the  Propaganda,  to  Bishop  Carroll,  May 

27,  1797. 
»  Thompson  Weatcott,  "  A  History  of  Philadelphia." 


'  *1 


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438 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


V,     -,. 


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,  i 


attended  Donojifiil,  llarrirtburg,  and  Lebanon  one  Sunday  in 
each  niDnth,  giving?  the  fifth,  when  there  hapjjened  to  Ihj 
one,  to  CheHter  County.  In  I^ncaster  alone  lie  had  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  coniniunicantH.  In  1792  he  ;•;  cepted  the  mis- 
eion  of  (iortheidioppen  offered  him  by  liinhop  Carroll,  and  was 
succeeded  at  I^ncaHter  by  the  zealouw  prient,  Kev.  I*.  Krntzi'u. 
Rev.  Mr.  Elling,  a  reatless,  dlKsatistied  man,  eoni})lained  loudly 
of  Lancaster,  declaring  that  the  j)eople  did  very  little  for 
their  pricHt,  that  the  church  and  priest's  house  were  very 
much  out  of  repair.    He  left  in  1793  and  went  to  New  York.' 

Others  did  not  represent  the  condition  at  I^ncaster  so  badly. 
Rev.  Mr.  Dilhet,  who  had  seen  alike  the  noble  churches  of 
EurojHJ  and  the  rough  cliajMjls  of  the  West,  describes  the 
church  as  "very  rine,"  the  priest's  bouse  "elegiuit  and  very 
convenient  with  a  garden."  ' 

The  Ilev.  Francis  Fi'zwmons  was  in  Ijincasfer  in  1803-4, 
offering  the  holy  sacrifice  twice  a  month  in  that  town,  once 
a  month  in  Elizaljethtown  and  Lebanon,  once  every  three 
months  at  Chester,  Little  Britain,  Colenum's  Furnace,  and  in 
Mr.  Maguire's  liouse  at  Doe  Run.  At  each  of  these  more 
remote  stations  he  spent  two  days.  Besides  these  jjlaces  he 
attended  the  county  iwor-house,  which  ha«l  thirty  Catholic 
inmates.  In  liis  whole  district  he  computed  his  communi- 
cants at  one  thousand.  The  missions,  except  at  Ix'banon  and 
Coleman's  Furnace,  were  supplied  with  vestments  and  chalices. 
He  was  apparently  a  zealous,  liard-working  priest,  but  perhai)s 
somewh'it  severe,  and  relinquished  the  mission  the  next  year 
to  return  to  Europe  with  Lord  Selkirk,  with  whcjiu  he  had 
come  over.* 


'  Rev.  Wm.  Elling  to  Bishop  Carroll,  DccemlR-r  8,  1791  ;  August  27, 
1792. 

»  Dilhet,  •'  Etat  de  I'Eglise  Catluvlique." 

'  Rev.  Francis  Fitzsimons,  Lancaster,  Febraury  in,  May  19,  1804. 


NEW  YORK. 


499 


Religion  in  that  district,  of  courHC,  Buffered  by  thcBC  fre- 
nuunt  changeH  in  tlio  ministry,  which  continued  for  several 
Yoar.  till  the  Rev.  Louis  de  Barth  de  Walbach,  brother  of 
the  general  of  that  name,  revived  the  faith  of  tlie  people,  and 
during  a  long  pastorship  trained  his  flock  to  tlx,  faithful  dis- 
cliurge  of  all  their  duties  as  Catholics  and  citizens.' 

Keligion  in  New  York  received  its  first  successful  impul**e 
on  the  appointment  of  the  Dominican  Father,  Wilhani 
O'Brien,  who  began  his  ministry  in  Philadelphia,  and  evi- 
dently made  B.-ne  visits  to  New  Jersey,  as  we  find  him  at 
Hurlington  in  \i^1.  To  complete  St.  Peter's  church,  he 
went  to  Mexico,  wi.ore,  through  the  influence  of  Archbishop 
Haro,  with  whom  he  had  been  a  fellow-student,  he  obtamed 
from  the  charitable  of  that  country  aid  in  money,  and  several 
valuable  paintings  and  other  objects  for  the  adornment  of 

the  church.  ,      -r.      i  * 

During  his  absence  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Bourke  seems  to 
have  otticiated  at  St.  Peter's.'     The  yellow  fever  which  rav- 
aged New  York  for  several  years,  especially  in  l.Vt.^  and 
179S  afforded  Father  O'Brien  a  new  field  for  his  zeal  and 
charitv.     His  services  in  attending  the  sick  were  the  theme 
of  general  i.rai.e.'     He  was  a  man  of  learning  and  wrote  a 
Life  of  St.  Paul,  which  was  announced  but  never  appeared. 
He  restored  order  and  harmony  to  the  Catl-iu'  Diniy  in  New 
York  and  was  a  most  efficient  auxiliarN  to  Bishop  Carroll, 
who  emploved  him  in  several  delicat.  matter..     He  conse- 


I  9  M  Scner  in  "  U.  8.  Cath.  Historical  Mnjfaziiie,"  i.,  pp.  2ir,-210. 

.  •■New  York  Diroctory."  1791-2.  1792-3.  Ik-  ^vas  drownnl  in  a  river 
while  travelling  in  February,  .  m.     ( )rclo  1801. 

3  Ilardie,  "Account  of  the  Malignant  Fever."  1799;  same,  1805.  p. 
191. 


r?  ■ 


\w 


'  New  York  Packet,"  Feltruary  28  1788. 


i^.h.L 


430 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


: 

1 

1 

quently  incurred  the  wrath  of  men  like  Smyth  and  La 
Poterie. 

By  the  resources  which  he  collected  the  interior  of  the 
church  was  completed  and  the  pews  offered  for  sale  in  the 
spring  of  1794.'  His  labors  began  to  tell  on  the  zealous 
Dominican,  and  the  assistance  of  a  second  priest  was  clearly 
re(]uired  ;  but  the  trustees  vacillated,  sometimes  at*king  for 
a  second  priest,  sometimes  protesting  their  inability  to  s-qv 
port  one."  In  1800  the  church  was  burthened  with  a  debt 
of  $(),500,  and  the  annual  income  from  pew  rents  and  collec- 
tions was  about  $1,500;  the  expenses,  including  interest, 
about  |;l,-100.' 

The  next  year  the  pastor  received  as  assistant  a  fellow- 
Dominican,  Rev.  Matthew  O'Brien,  a  man  of  learning  and 
eloquence.  The  congregation  had  increased  greatly,  so  that 
steps  were  taken  to  complete  the  church  by  erecting  a  stee- 
ple ;  an  organ  had  l)ecn  procured  ;  regular  instructions  were 
given  in  catechism,  and  a  charity  school  was  undertaken. 
The  Catholics  of  New  York  were  already  discussing  the 
enction  of  a  second  church.' 

The  Order  of  St.  Dominic  had  sent  several  Fathers  to 
this  country,  like  Rev.  William  O'Brien,  Francis  A.  Fleming, 
Vincent  Keating,  but  it  was  not  till  1808  that  any  definite 
organization  here  was  atten»])ted.  At  that  time  the  Rev. 
Edward  P'enwick,  an  American  jnember  of  the  English  prov- 
ince of  the  Friars  Preachers,  submitted  to  Bishop  Carroll, 


! 


'  Notiio.  April  16,  1794. 

»  Hi'v.  Anihony  McMahon.  O.S  D..  was  in  New  York  in  ISOO  and  died 
there  in  .Tilly.     Ordo  1801. 

'  Trust.'OB  to  Hisliop  ("arroll,  Jiumnry  10.  IHOO. 

*  lU'v.  Mr.  O'Brii'ti  to  Bishop  Carroll,  .January  5,  1801  ;  November  10, 
IWl. 


REV.  P.  DE  LA   VALINIERE. 


431 


through  Father  Luke  Concanen,  a  plan  for  establisliing  a 
convent  or  college  in  the  United  States.' 

Toward  the  month  of  October,  1790,  the  Kev.  Peter  Huet 
de  la  Valiniere  returned  from  the  West  and  took  up  his 
abode  among  the  Canadians  and  Acadians,  who  had  settled 
at  Split  Rock,  near  the  present  village  of  Essex,  N.  Y.'' 
These  unfortunate  peojjle  at  first  manifested  great  zeal  and 
devotcdness  for  their  pastor.  They  built  him  a  chapel  and 
residence,  and  gave  him  his  maintenance  :  here  he  remained 
three  years,  but  in  the  meantime  dissensions  grevr  up  between 
the  priest  and  his  flock.  His  church  and  house  were  set  on 
tire  and  burned  to  the  ground  ; '  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  La  Vali- 

nit^re  returned  to  Montreal,  where  the  English  government 

offered  no  objection  to  his  remaining. 

During  his  troubled  days  at  Split  Rock  he  composed  a 

poetical  account,  entitled  "A  true  History  or  simple  Sketch 

of  the  Misfortunes,  not  to  say  Persecutions,  which  the  Rev. 

Peter  Huet  de  la  Valiniere  has  suffered  and  still  suffers. 

Put  in  verse  by  himself,  July,  1792."  ' 


'  F.  Richard  Luke  Concanen  to  Bisliop  Carroll,  Rome,  December  20, 
1803. 

»  Letter  of  Rev.  ,T.  T.  Smith,  Historian  of  the  Diocese  of  Ogdensbnrg. 

»  Mgr.  .T.  O.  Plessis,  "  Hi'lation  d'un  Voyage  aux  Etats  Uuis  en  1815," 
which  I  owe  to  the  Rev.  .1.  Sa.sseville. 

*  "Vraie  Histoire  ou  simple  Precis  des  Infortunes,  pour  ne  pas  dire 
des  persecutions,  qu'a  soutTcrt  et  soi-tTre  encore  le  Rov.  Pierre  Huet  de 
la  Valiniere,  mis  en  vers  par  lui  menie  en  Juillet,  171*2.  A  Albany,  Im- 
prime  aux  depens  de  I'auteur."  De  Courcy,  "  Catholic  Church  in  the 
United  States,"  New  York,  18,')ft,  p.  4(50.  He  also  published  at  New 
York  in  171)0,  "  Dialoirue  Curieux  et  Interes.sant,  entre  Mr.  B  i-idesir  .'!t 
le  Dr.  Hreviloi),  en  Franvais  et  en  Anirlais,"  a  kind  of  polemical  Cate- 
chism in  which  the  printers  stran.trely  protestantized  his  English.  He 
describes  himself  on  the  title  a.s  "  having  sutTered  great  persecutions  for 
the  cau.se  of  America,  in  the  last  war,  and  havinir  been  obliged  to  take 
refuge  in  the  I'liited  States  "  Tiiis  good  but  strange  and  restless  priest 
came  to  Canada  in  1755  with  the  famous  Abbe  Picqnet.     He  rescued 


I  III 


I 


H 

I 


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I: 


!     I 


432 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


m 


Had  be  possessed  judgment  and  discretion  as  well  as  piety 
and  learning  this  priest  might  have  renderetl  great  service  to 
religion  in  this  country,  and  been  one  of  the  most  potent 
auxiliaries  of  Bishop  Carroll.  As  it  was,  be  was  a  mere 
will-o'-the-wisp,  Hashing  here  and  there,  giving  but  Htful  and 
unsteady  light. 

In  New  York,  Catholics  bad  begun  to  settle  at  Albany  and 
along  the  line  -^^  t^e  Mohawk.  After  leaving  New  York 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Whelan  wa^  for  a  time  at  Johnstown  in  the 
year  1790.  A  few  years  later  a  Rev.  Mr.  Flinn  had  a  little 
flock  of  seventy  Catholic  families  at  Fort  Stanwix,  on  the 
Mohawk,  and  it  was  said  that  there  were  four  hundred  Cath- 
olic families  between  that  place  and  Albany.' 

Flying  visits  seem  to  have  been  made  to  Albany  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Matthew  O'Brien  and  other  priests,  and  in  1708  the 
Catholics  there  organized,  and  led  by  Thomas  Barry  and 
Louis  le  Couteulx,  resolved  to  take  steps  to  erect  a  church. 
A  site  was  soon  secured  and  the  building  began  on  Barrack, 
now  Chapel  Street.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Mr. 
Thomas  Harry,  Sept.  13,  1707.  The  church  was  under  roof, 
glazed,  an<l  lloored  early  in  September,  and  is  described  as 
"  a  neat  building,  which  will  be  an  ornament  to  the  city  and 
a  lasting  blessing  to  all  who  are  members  in  communion  of 
that  church."  ' 


from  the  stake  ii  Mrs.  O'Flaherty  iind  lier  (limjiliter  ;  paid  fur  tlip  educa- 
tion of  tiie  fliild  and  for  licr  iirofession  when  she  hccanie  ii  Sister  in  Mine. 
d'Youviile's  coniniunity.  "  Vie  de  .MiidanK,'  d'Voiiville,"  ]ip.  01;!,  441. 
He  was  driven  from  C'ana<la  at  llie  conuneneenieiit  of  tlie  lievolution  for 
liis  Hynipatliy  with  tlie  .Vinerioans  ;  lahored  in  New  York,  Fliiladelpiiia, 
Illinois  ;  went  to  New  Orleans,  Havana  Florida,  Charleston,  Sloninv'ton, 
New  York,  .Montreal,  Split  |{oek,  N.  Y'.,  and  was  killed  at  Uepeutigny, 
Canada,  June  'i\K  l^i^K),  liy  fallinj?  from  a  waf^on. 

'  Rev.  Or.  Matij,'non  U>  Bishoj)  Carroll.  .Fuly  23,  179H. 

'  "Albany  Gazette,"  cited  in  De  Courey,  "  ('atliolic  Church  iu  the 
United  States,"  New  York,  1^56,  i-.  409.     Muiisoll's  Annals,  p.  179. 


CHURCH  AT  ALBANY,  N.    Y. 


433 


The  appeal  to  the  Catholic  community  says :  "  Such  of 
our  CatlioUc  brethren  in  this  neighborhood  as  iiave  not  al- 
ready contributed,  it  is  hoped  will  now  come  forward  and 
offer  their  mite  to  discharge  the  last  payment  of  the  contract, 
there  being  but  a  small  sum  in  hand  for  that  purpose.  To 
give  to  the  Church  is  it  not  to  lend  to  the  Lord,  who  will 
richly  repay  the  liberal  giver  with  many  blessings  ?  Should 
not  all  the  members  unitedly  raise  their  voices  in  praise  to 
God,  who  has  cast  their  lot  in  this  good  land,  where  our 


FIllST  C.VTIIOLIC   ClIllKII    IN   ALBANY,    N.    V 

Church  is  e<|nally  protected  with  others,  and  where  we  all  so 
bountifully  partake  of  his  goodness  ?  What  is  man  without 
religion,  which  teaches  us  the  love  of  God  and  our  neighbor 
and  to  be  in  charity  with  all  mankind  I  Surely  without  this 
he  is  nothing." 

The  corner-stone  of  this  first  Catholic  church  in  Albany  is 
sacredly  preserved  ;  and  is  now  set  in  the  wall  of  St.  Mary's 
Church. 

In  IVOO  the  trustees,  hearing  that  Dr.  O'Rricn  had  been 
ap[>ointed  to  Natchez,  wrote  earnestly  to  Bishop  Carroll  on 
19 


\U 


■>  u 


'n 


Mil 


434 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


\\m 


the  10th  of  November,  iiuploring  the  Bishop  to  allow  him  to 
continue  his  ministrations  among  them.  Their  letter  was 
accompanied  by  a  petition  from  the  congregation  signed  bv 
a  large  mnnber.'  But  he  left  them  abruptly  the  next  year, 
and  the  congregation  asked  to  have  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stafford,  a 
priest  recently  arri.ed  from  Ireland.'  It  does  not  appear, 
however,  that  he  took  charge  of  the  mission.  In  18U2  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Cornelius  Maliony  v/as  stationed  at  Albany,  and 
attended  Schenectady  among  other  stations.  Complaints  of 
hrrsh  and  arbitrary  conduct  on  his  part  soon  reached  Dr. 
Carroll.' 

The  next  incumbent  was  Rev.  Luke  Fitzsinnnons,  a  Rec- 
ollect Father  invited  from  Montreal,  but  who  did  not  long 
remain,  failing  to  please  the  people,  as  he  wjis  no  '*  preacher." 
In  ISuti  the  Rev.  John  Byrne  visited  Albany  and  in  a  few- 
months  seems  to  have  done  a  great  deal  of  good.  He  prom- 
ised to  visit  them  twice  a  year  if  the  jjcople  would  go  to 
work  and  complete  the  church. 

Here  as  elsewhere  the  trustees  looked  only  to  the  preach- 
ing, concerning  themselves  little  about  the  zeal  of  the  priest 
in  the  confessional,  in  visiting  the  sick,  in  attending  outlying 
stations.  As  Albany  was  the  soat  of  government  and  iiigh 
State  officials  visited  the  ciiurch,  these  ti-ustees  wished  a  man 


'  It  is  (latMl  Noveral)cr  10,  170ft.  Anion^'  tl»c  sipniTs  are  Barry,  Le 
Couttulx,  Hicliard  Allanstjii.  .liiiiics  Cassidy,  Patrick  Hcilly.  Barry  went 
to  Canatla  to  coUwt  for  the  j'liurch  in  .Vlhaiiy  Binliop  lIulM-rt  cncoiir- 
ajriii  liini,  and  in  a  circular  letter  of  Marcli  4,  1T97,  ooinniended  him  to 
tile  parish  priests  of  his  diocese.  "  .Maiidenients  des  Evi'qut's  de  t^iie- 
Ut,'  tJiielH'C,  1HH7-H,  ii.,  p.  Wi. 

'  Trust<#a  of  Albany  to  Bishop  Carroll,  Noven)lH'r  10,  1800.  They 
st4ite  that  they  paid  Hev.  Malthi'w  O'Hrien  I'iHO  liefween  Novenil)*>r, 
171W,  and  .June,  IWK),  whidi  gives  a  clue  to  the  duration  of  his  ministry. 

'Trustees  of  Albany  to  Bisliop  Carroll,  November,  1802;  Rev.  l>r 
Mahony  to  Bishop  Carroll,  February  7,  IHtm,  January,  1804. 


CHURCH  AT  ALBANY,   N.   Y. 


435 


who  could  by  his  eh>quenco  in  the  pulpit  impress  such  visit- 
ors favorably.' 

The  trustees  were  generally  men  active  and  influential  in 
politi'js  and  in  civil  life,  with  little  conception  of  the  duties 
of  a  priest,  and  little  regard  for  the  rules  of  the  Church, 
whose  sacraments  they  rarely  approached.  Priests  found  it 
impossible  to  discharge  their  duties  conscientiously,  when 
hiimpered  at  every  step  by  such  men. 

The  Rev.  James  M.  Buslie  became  a  few  years  after  resi- 
dent pastor  at  Albany,  where  he  seems  to  have  died  about 
1808,  leaving  the  church  there  once  more  without  a  priest. 
This  was  all  the  more  to  be  deplored,  as  the  Catholics  of 
Albany,  in  this  constant  cha)ige  of  priests,  were  overlooked 
and  neglected. 

Catholicity  in  New  England  took  its  first  genuine  impulse 
on  the  arrival  of  the  Rev.  Francis  A.  Matignon.  Though 
devoted  and  earnest.  Rev.  Mr.  Thayer  was  not  fitted  to  guide 
a  congregation  or  win  the  general  esteem.  Doctor  Mati- 
gnon, a  priest  of  experience,  having  taught  theology  in  the 
College  of  Navarre,  with  ex])eiience  among  English-speak- 
ing Catholics,  came  to  devote  his  learning,  his  ability,  his 
elo(pience,  as  well  as  his  deep  piety  and  wide  charity  to  the 
little  flock  of  Catholics  in  New  England.  lie  soon  disarmed 
all  opposition,  and  by  his  unfailing  and  winning  courtesy 
was  enabled  to  effect  great  good.  The  Rev.  ;Mr.  Ci(iuard 
proceeded  to  the  Indians,  and  Dr.  ^[atign(7n  labored  alone  at 
Boston,  visiting  other  points  where  possi!)le,  till  Rev.  John 
Cheverus,  whom  he  had  invited  from  England,  arrived  in 
that  city,  October  ;5,  ITOti,  to  his  great  joy.  Bishop  Carroll, 
on  learning  of  the  new  arrival,  and  rejoicing  to  iweive  a 
priest  so  higlilv  recommended,  appointed  him  to  the  Indian 


Trustees  of  Albany  to  Bishop  Carroll,  August  16,  180C. 


436 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


mission  in  Maine,  from  wliich  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ciquard  wislied 
to  retire.  "  Send  me  wliere  you  think  I  am  most  needed 
without  making  yourself  anxious  about  the  means  of  sup. 
porting  me.  I  am  willing  to  work  with  my  hands,  if  nood 
be,  and  I  believe  I  have  strength  enough  to  do  it,"  was  the 
reply  of  Cheverus. 

But  the  pastor  of  the  church  at  Boston,  who  saw  his  work 
increasing  beyond  his  strength,  pleaded  witli  the  Bishop  to  bo 
allowed  to  retain  Rev,  Mr.  Cheverus,  at  least  till  the  following 
autumn.  lie  was  indeed  permitted  to  enjoy  his  companion- 
ship in  the  ministry  till  July,  179T,  when  Rev.  Mr.  Cheverus 
set  out  for  his  mission.  In  this  interval  he  visited  Ply- 
moutli  and  Newburyjwrt.  From  the  reported  Easter  com- 
nnmions  in  1798,  we  get  some  idea  of  the  Catholic  flock 
in  Massachusetts.  There  were  210  Catholics  in  Boston,  15 
in  Plymouth,  ?!  in  Xewburyport,  and  3  in  Salem,  a  total 
of  249." 

On  his  way  to  his  mission  Rev.  ^fr.  Cheverus  visited  scat- 
tered Catholics  between  I?ost<»n  an<l  the  IVnobscot.  He 
reached  Point  Pleasant.  July  30,  1797,  and  took  possession 
of  his  bark  house  and  church.  The  latter  was  lighted  only 
by  the  d(K)r.  and  the  altar-])iece  was  formed  of  two  pieces  of 
red  and  blue  doth.  lie  was,  however,  assured  of  some  siip- 
}X)rt,  the  (xeneral  (^ourt  of  Miu*siK'husetts  having  appropriated 
two  hundred  dollars  a  year  for  a  Catholic  missionary,  who 
was  to  reside  alternately  at  Penobscot  and  Passiima(i noddy.' 


'  Rev.  Dr.  Matiirnon  to  Bishop  Carroll,  Boston  February  24,  17»T  ; 
May  1,  1798.  Ho  gives  the  returns  for  the  year  ending;  April  1,  1T9S,  ms 
follows  :  .")()  children,  7  i.dults  iMipti/ed  in  Boston  ;  !)0  ehildreii  and  1 
adult  elsewhere;  13  Indian  children;  in  all.  101.  There  had  Im'cu  17 
marriajres  and  14  deaths.  The  Catliolics  in  Boston  were  estimated  at  si.K 
or  si'veu  hundred, 

''  Rev.  Dr.  Matij^ion  to  Bishop  Carroll,  July  23,  1798. 


REV.  JOHN  CHEVERUS. 


437 


Guided  by  some  of  his  Indian  flock  lie  visited  Old  Town  on 
the  Penobscot  in  June,  1798.  Here,  too,  he  found  a  bark 
chapel,  but  no  vestments  or  plate ;  a  crucifix  and  one  or 
two  statues,  with  the  bell,  hanging  from  a  neighboring  post, 
l)eing  all  that  remained. 

Mr.  Cheverus  found  much  to  touch  him  in  the  firmness 
with  which  these  children  of  the  forest  had  clung  to  the  faith 
taught  to  their  ancestors  by  the  Catholic  priests  from  Canada. 
"  The  Penobscot  tribe,"  he  wrote,  "  is  composed  of  about 
300  individuals,  including  women  and  children,  while  at  Pas- 
Bamacpioddy  there  were  hardly  150.  The  women,  in  general, 
are  good,  but  the  men  are  mostly  addicted  to  drinking,  less, 
however,  at  Passainaquoddy  than  at  Per,  ibscot."  ' 

Having  put  these  missions  in  some  order,  he  proceeded  to 
Damariscotta  Bridge,  where  seven  Catholic  families  had  set- 
tled. Here  he  said  mass  in  the  barn  of  the  Hon.  Matthew 
Cdttrill.'  After  his  return  to  Boston,  he  there,  with  the 
llev.  Dr.  Matignon,  exhibited,  in  the  yellow  fever  of  1798, 
a  picture  of  heroic  courage  and  devotedness  that  filled  all 
men  with  admiration.  It  was  a  new  lesson  to  see  Catholic 
priests  fearlessly  facing  the  most  dreadful  pestilence. 

They  were  not  the  only  ]n-ie8t8  in  New  England.  Thayer 
had  otificiated  at  Hartford  in  1790,  and  in  1797  the  Rev.  John 
Ambrose  Songe,  canon  and  theologal  of  Dol,  resided  there  as 
chaplain  to  Yicomte  de  Sibert  Cornillon,  with  faculties  from 


'  Ilfv.  John  dievcrus  to  Rishop  Ciirroll,  February  17,  1799. 

■  Ilamon,  "  Vie  du  C'anliiml  de  Cheverus,"  Paris,  1858,  pp.  43-76  ; 
Walsh,  "Life  of  the  Cardinal  de  Cheverus,"  translation,  Philadelphia, 
is:59,  pp.  47,  etc.  ;  Stewart.  "The  Life  of  Cardinal  Cheverus,"  transla- 
tion, Boston,  1H;J9,  pp.  :W,  etc.  ;  Fitton,  "  Sketches  of  the  Establishment 
of  the  Church  in  New  Knjrland,"  Boston,  1872,  pp.  t(M)-l()3.  The  matter 
from  pajies  !M-02  in  this  latter  work  is  copied  from  articles  by  me  in  the 
"  Boston  Pilot.  ' 


::Ui  I 


:,■!: 


■.■■\W\ 
A''  jl 
Ik' 


J*-:* 


438 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


''^' 


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fe  * 

'■mi 

, 

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■  .'■ 

11 

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Bishop  Carroll,  and  was  joiuud  by  auother  priest,  tlic  liev. 
Mr.  Tisserant.' 

New  England  Lad  as  yet  nothing  that  could  properly  ho 
called  a  church.  The  building  on  School  Street  was  no  longer 
tit  for  service,  and  <.)n  Sunday,  March  31,  17t)l>,  a  meeting  of 
the  Catholics  was  held  and  a  committee  appointed  to  solicit 
subscriptiims  to  purchase  a  lot  of  land  for  the  erection  of  a 
church.  Nearly  four  thousand  dollars  were  6ur)scril)ed,  and 
Rev.  Dr.  jMatignon  felt  encouniged  to  proceed.  James  Bul- 
tinch,  Es(j.,  furnished  the  plans  without  consenting  to  receive 
any  remuneration.  Other  ProtestaJit  gentlemen,  led  by  John 
Adams,  President  of  the  Uiuted  Stiites,  gave  their  contribu- 
tions to  the  building  fund.' 

On  the  evening  of  St.  Patrick's  day.  in  the  year  18(»<>,  a 
numl)er  of  the  Catholics  of  Boston  began  to  excavate  the 
ground  acquired  on  Franklin  Street,  in  that  city,  to  i)reiiare 
for  the  laying  of  the  foundation.  The  sacred  edifice  was  to 
be  eighty -one  feet  by  tifty-eight,  and  to  l)e  capable  of  exten- 
sion, so  as  to  l)e  a  stpiare.  The  Hev,  Dr.  ]\fatignon,  when 
the  work  begjin,  had  only  8i.\  hundred  dollars  on  hand,  al- 
though $4,(KX»  had  been  subscribed. 

This  was  an  enc<»uraging  step  for  Catholicity  in  New  Eng- 
land. Hut  there  was  tcxui  stern  evidence  that  the  t>ld  I'uritan 
hatrt^«l  of  the  faith  was  as  vigorous  us  ever. 

The  Kev.  Mr.  Cheverus  not  only  visited  the  Indians  in 
Maine,  but  on  his  way  attended  the  scattered  Catholics  twice 
a  year.  While  in  Maine  in  January.  1800.  he  married  two 
Catholics;  but  as  the  law  of  Massachusetts,  to  which  Maine 


'  H<-v.  .lohn  Son^'O  to  Bishop  Carroll,  New  York,  .Vpril.  1707;  l'.  S. 
Catb.  MaK.,  i.,  p.  IIH). 
»  Rev.  Dr.  Matlgnon  to  Bishop  CarroU,  July  28,  1798. 
»  Fitton,  pp.  107-9. 


an 


m 


\W^* 


CHEVERUS  IN  THE  DOCK. 


439 


was  then  annexed,  prohibited  all  pereons  from  marrying,  ex- 
cept the  minister  or  justice  of  the  peace  of  the  place,  Mr. 
Cheverus,  to  prevent  all  trouble,  directed  the  new  married 
couple  to  go  next  day  before  the  justice  of  the  peace  to  rat- 
ify their  marriage,  as  was  then  done  in  England  and  else- 
where.' 

Attorney-General  Sullivan,  who,  in  the  time  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Thayer,  had  shown  himself  actuated  by  bitter  hostility  to  the 
religion  of  \m  own  parents,  instigated  a  prosecution  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Cheverus  in  both  the  civil  and  criminal  court. 

The  amiable  Rev.  Mr.  Chevenis  was  accordingly  arrested 
and  brought  to  trial  at  Wiscasset  in  the  mouth  of  October, 
1800.     There  this  gentle  and  pious  priest,  whose  virtues 
through  life  were  so  much  admired,  was  placed  in  the  dock 
with  the  coarsest  and  most  brutal  criminals.   Two  judges,  Brad- 
bury and  Strong,  evinced  great  hostility  to  him.  Judge  Sewall 
alone  regarding  the  case  without  prejudice.     Rev.  Mr.  Chev- 
erus had  retivhied  two  lawyers  to  defend  him-one  a  member 
of  Congress,  the  other  a  member  of  the  State  legislature.   They 
adduced  in  evidence  the  printed  instructions  of  the  Vicars- 
Apostolic  in  England,  the  well-known  custom  of  the  mission- 
aries in  that  country,  and  tl>e  pastoral  of  Dr.  Carroll  on  mar- 
riage.    The  attorney-general  maintained  that  Mr.  Cheverus 
was  minister  of  Hoston  and  Boston  only,  and  that  by  exercis- 
ing functicms  in  Elaine  he  made  himself  liable  to  the  pillory 
and  a  fine.     The  powers  given  by  Hishop  (\irroll,  authorizing 
him  to  minister  to  the  people  of  his  faith  throughout  New 
Enc'land,  did  not,  in  the  eyes  of  the  judges,  make  him  their 
minister ;  they  were  wedded  to  the  idea  of  a  local  minister. 
Jud.'e  Sewalftook  a  view  of  the  case  favorable  to  Rev.  Mr. 
Cheverus,  but  the  presiding  judge.  Bradbury,  wished  to  strain 


t  r 


>  Rev.  F.  A.  Mutijinou  to  Bishop  CiirroU,  March  19.  1800. 


m  :'! 


ifl 


III 


Ui 


fif**" 


■ff 


H 


€i 


440  i/Fis?  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

the  letter  of  the  law  to  its  utinoHt  rigor.  Tliis  Justice  said  to 
Mr.  riieveniH  that  if  he  hail  not  proved  that  he  was  a  settled 
niiiiii^ter  at  iiostoii,  he  would  have  made  him  staud  an  hour 
in  the  pillory  with  £H0  tine,  hut  as  he  was  recognized  as  a 
settled  minister,  he  wiw  liable  only  to  a  civil  action.  The 
Kev.  Mr.  Chevenis,  standing  at  the  har  before  these  hi-ots 
8o  immcasurahly  his  inferiors  in  every  moral  qualitieaiiun, 
was,  as  he  afterward  declared,  "  never  in  better  spirits."  ' 
He  had  not  Hinclied  before  the  wild,  demoniac  madness  of 
the  French  Revolution  and  its  Keign  of  Terror ;  he  was  not 
a  man  to  pale  before  the  pillory  threats  of  a  brutal  ^'ew 
England  judge. 

This  revival  of  colonial  persecution  of  the  Church,  such  as 
we  have  seen  in  iMaryland,  re(juired  on  the  i)art  of  Catholics 
the  exercise  of  prudence.  At  every  mission  station  visited 
by  the  Catholic  priests  outside  of  ]{osti.n.  the  little  Hock  of 
Catholics  entered  into  a  written  agreement  with  Rev.  Mr. 
Chevenis,  with  the  approbation  of  liishop  Carroll,  by  which 
they  recognized  him  as  their  pastor,  and  he  agi^>ed  to  serve 
them.' 

iJut  the  case  against  the  good  priest  did  not  close  with  his 
acquitted  on  the  criminal  charge  and  his  esca|)e  from  the  pil- 
lory to  which  Judge  Hradbury  was  so  anxious  to  send  him. 
The  civil  suit  was  still  pressed.  Rradbury  had  declared  vehe- 
mently that  Cheverus  must  i)ay  the  tine  ;  bnt  he  was  thrown 
from  his  horse  and  prevented  from  attending  court,  the 
attorney-general  was  absent  when  the  case  was  reached,  and 
the  lawyer  who  usually  attended  to  his  business  had  Ik-cii 
i-etained  by  the  charitable  and  devoted  i)riest  whom  these 


'  Hcv.  F.  A.  Mntlpnoii  to  Bishop  Carroll,  October  14,  1800 
•  Same  to  same,  Septt'inlxT  10,  1801. 


INTOLERANT  SPIRIT. 


441 


fanatics  were  persecuting.    The  case  wan  passed,  and  we  hear 

no  more  of  it.' 

Read  tlie  elo(iuent  eulogies  of  New  Eiigland'H  love  of  re- 
ligioUH  freedom  and  you  may  think  this  all  a  dream,  hut  the 
papers  remain  in  the  tiles  of  the  court  to  attest  that  in  ISOO 
toleration  was  regarded  as  nnich  of  im  evil  egg  as  it  was  a 
century  and  a  half  before. 

Tlio  persecution  of  the  Kev.  Mr.  Cheverua  was  not  the 
only  evidence  of  this  old  anti-Christian  feeling.     The  Rev. 
Mn  Cheverus  thus  states  it :  "  Mr.  Kavanagh,  a  respectable 
merdiant  living  at  Newcastle,  in  the  county  of  Lim-  in,  dis- 
trict of  Maine,  has  fittetl  up  at  his  own  expense  a  small 
neat  chapel,  where  I  otKciated  last  year  for  l)etter  than  three 
months.     Moreover,  the  same  gentleman  with  his  partner, 
Mr.  Cottrill,  has  subscribed  *1,0()0  f..r  our  new  church  and 
has  already  paid  $750.    He  thought  in  conse(pience  he  would 
be  free  from  jiaying  taxes  to  the  Congregational  minister  of 
his  township,  but  the  Judges  of  the  Sui)reme  Court  now  sit- 
ting in  Boston  declared  unanimously  (March  5,  1801),  that 
he  must  pay  for  the  support  of  the  sjiid  minister,  even  if  he 
had  a  priest  always  residing  with  him.     '  The  Constitution.' 
said  they,  '  oblige.^  every  one  to  contribute  for  the  support  of 
Protestant  ministers,  and  them  alone.     Papists  are  only  toler- 
ated, and  as  long  iis  their  mijiisters  behave  well,  we  sliall  not 
disturb  them  ;  V)ut  let  them  expect  no  more  than  that.'     We 
were  present.  Dr.  Matignon  and  myself,  and  as  you  may  sup 
pose,  listening  with  raptures  to  the  above  and  many  other 
tlattering  si>eeches.     I  really  believe,  should  my  former  trial 
come  on  again,  these  gentlemen  would  not  be  ashamed  to  set 
me  in  the  pillory."  ' 

•  Rev.  F.  A.  Mntipnon  to  Bishop  Carroll,  .luly  3,  ISOl. 

'  Rev.  .lolin  CluviTus  to  Bishop  Carroll.  Boston.  March  10, 1^01.     Dr. 


MiUiguon,  Miirch  Ifl,  to  wime.  adds 
19* 


'  The  Coustitution,  it  wiis  decided. 


l!t>tt 


:i 


! 


■St! 


'ii\ 


itk 


442  UFE  OF  AHCHBISUOP  CARROLL. 

Tlie  spirit  i.f  jHTwcntion  might  annoy  CatliolicH ;  it  could 
not  (tiihIi  tlifin.  At  tlit'  iM'gimiing  (»f  the  year  1S0:J  tin-  df- 
V(»tf(l  pantor  of  tiii'  faitiifiil  in  New  Kngland  ri'portt'd  T)? 
baptinuiH,  lit  niarriagt'H,  \M  Imrials,  and  '>0(i  KaMi-r  <-ouiiiiun- 
ions  for  the  pruviouri  yt'iir.  He  dfoiared  that  if  the  progref*. 
of  reiipon  wan  iu»t  rapid,  it  wiw  real,  and  ehie%  oontined  to 
the  ciaH^  I'  jKTsons  whom  our  Saviour  wan  Ih'kI  [)leaHed  to 
iuhtnu't  ;  the  rich  had  no  time  for  the  Htud.v  of  religion,  or 
t(H.  much  pride  and  human  respect  to  eml)rac'e  the  trutli. 
In  the  eastern  mission  there  hud  been  50  connuunionri  and 
30  haptisnis.' 

Ik-sides  the  «listriet  assigned  to  Rev.  iMeasrs.  ^latignon  and 
CheveruH,  which  included  Kew  England,  the  northern  part 


yya^d/-^.  J^a^t 


FAr-BTMlI.E  OF  SIOXATFRE  OF  REV.  KUANCIS  A.  MATKINON. 


of  Other  States  contained  Catholics  of  Canadian  ori<rin  living 
near  the  lioundary  line,  and  IJishop  Carroll  joyfully  accept»'d 
the  otTer  of  the  Hishoj*  of  Queltee  to  permit  his  clergy  resid- 
ing  near  these  scattered  Catholics  to  minister  to  them.  Me 
empowered  the  Mishoj*  of  (^ui-l)ec  to  confer  the  sacrament 
of  confirmation  within  the  Cnited  States  when  his  charity 
prompted  him  to  pass  the  Itoundary  k'tween  the  two  coun- 
tries.'    I iishop  Denaut  apparently  gave  confirmation  at  De- 


did  not  r(To)rni7.p  ruilidlic  priests  us  cniiMnvcrcd  to  marrv,  for  the  Judirc 
d((  l.ircd  ili.il  tlic  word  '  l'roi.*J;iiit '  was  lihviijH  miacrslcxHl  U-fon-  ilio 
Word  '  .Miiiixlcr'  "  '. 

'  Hiv.  F.  .\    Miitiu'tion  to  IJishoj)  rurroll,  .Iimuiiry  23.  1H03. 

»  HislKip  C  urroil  to  Bi»ljo|)  Dcimul,  Ajiril  8.  1801.     It  k'caim'  the  cu»- 


1  h. 


PlilSCE  GALLlTZm. 


44:s 


troit  in   1801,  m  \m  luune  appeiirh  on  the  KcgiBter  of  the 

I'liurcli. 

Meanwhile  a  few  awpiriintH  to  the  ministry  enterod  the 
Soniiiiiiry  of  St.  Snli)ite  iit  Baltimore— (M)ine  to  perHeveri«, 
othertt  to  falter  and  turn  Imck,  Among  the  latter  were  tbe 
tw«»  catididMttM  for  holy  orders,  who  had  been  wiit  to  Uot'ie 
hv  recjuest  of  the  Sovereign  I'ontill,  in  ortler  to  Ihj  edueated 
at  the  Urban  College. 

Th<-  nioHt  eminent  person  who  enteijed  the  Seminary, 
whether  we  regard  his  exalted  position  in  the  world  or  his 
devoted  and  seU-sacriticing  career  as  a  pi  lent,  was  the  Knt^sian 
Trinee  Dmitri  (Jallitzin,  s(m  of  Princt;  Dmitr.  Alexievitz 
Ciallitzin  and  the  Countess  Amalia  von  Selimett- 


Q  a  f'^ 


*n^' 


BIONATTTHTt  OF  KEV.    1).    A.   OAI.I-tTZrN. 

He  was  horn  at  the  Ilagne  on  the  22«1  of  September,  17To, 
and  oame  to  Ameriea  in  171>2  with  a  learned  and  pious  priej^t, 
Ilev.  F.  X.  r.rosins,  who  had  otTered  his  serviees  to  Dr.  Car- 
roll ;  he  travelled  under  the  name  of  Sohmet,  a  eontraetioii  of 
his  mother's  name,  but  this  in  Ameriea  s<ton  became  Smith, 
by  whicli  he  was  known  for  many  years,  lie  l)ore  letters  to 
Bishop  Carroll,  and  when  he  was  introduced  to  the  priests  of 
Saint  Sulpice  was  delighted  with  their  life  and  work.  His 
father  bad  marked  out  a  brilliant  canvr  for  him  in  the  mili- 
tary or  diplomatic  service  of  Russia,  but  the  peace  and  siin- 
l)licitv  which  reigned  in  America  contrasted  so  forcibly  with 


torn  for  llu-  R'^hop  of  nallimori"  und  the  Bishop  of  New  York  to  appoint 
the  Bishop  of  Qmbec  Vinir-Genernl. 


u>>J 


-! 


•iill 


Ht' 


444 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


the  seething  maelstrom  of  European  revolution,  that  ])ene- 
trated  with  the  vanity  of  worldly  grandeur  young  Gallitzin 
resolved  to  renounce  all  schemes  of  pride  and  ambition  and 
to  embrace  the  clerical  professiou  for  the  benefit  of  the 
American  mission. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Brosius  had  meanwhile  been  assigned  to 
duty  and  repaired  to  his  post.  Young  Gallitzin,  who  had 
been  vi-siting  some  of  the  houses  of  the  highest  social  position 
in  J'altimore,  then  proceeded  to  the  Seminary  to  examine 
before  Gi>d  his  vocation  to  the  ecclesiastical  state.  He  ac- 
companied Bishoj)  Carroll  on  one  of  his  visitations,  but  the 
world  had  become  distasteful  to  him.  The  consent  of  his 
fatiier  and  motiier  was  not  easily  obtained,  but  they  were  at 
last  convinced  of  the  reality  of  his  vocation.  He  entered  the 
Seminary  at  Baltimore  on  the  r)th  of  November,  1702.  and 
turning  a  deaf  ear  to  the  tlireats  and  allurements  of  his  fam- 
ily pursued  his  studies  with  calm  liappiness.  He  was  or- 
dained subdeacon  on  the  2l8t  of  Novemlwir.  1794,  and  after 
receiving  deacon's  orders  in  the  spring  was  ordained  i)riest 


^^^-  (fi\<f^iCi 


UA^ 


FAC-8IMILE  OF  BIGNATCKK  OF  HKV.  P.  X.  BUOfllUS 


four  months  later,  on  the  18th  of  March,  1705,  by  Bishop  Car- 
roll. The  ujission  to  which  he  was  first  assigned  was  that  of 
Conewago,  where  he  was  to  aid  the  venerable  Mr.  Pellentz 
and  Rev.  Mr.  Brosius,  but  as  his  health  had  suffered  by  the 
confinement  and  close  study  at  the  beminary,  the  Bishop 
dirc<'te<l  him  to  pa.xs  mwvi  time  at  Port  Tol)acco.  He  made 
the  journey  on  horseback  in  Lent,  and  reached  his  destination 
very  much  weakened  and  desiwndent.     liut  encouraged  by 


rn-r  "irMHiiiii"  Ti      i,  'V" 


roUTUAIT  OF  KEV.    I'KINCE   UEMKTUIL-S  A.    OALLITZIN. 

(445) 


I 


i-fel  ii 


ImA 


446  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

a  letter  from  tlie  Bishop,'  be  soon  after  proceeded  to  Cone 
wago.  Here  he  entered  on  liis  missionary  cai-eer,  extendin.. 
his  visits  through  the  mountainous  district,  so  as  in  time  to 
include  Tanejtown,  Pipe  Creek,  Ilagerstown,  and  Cumber- 
land, m  Maryland  ;  Chambersl)urg.  Path  Valley,  Shade  Val- 
ley, and  Huntingdon,  in  Pennsylvania. 

At  Chambersburg  mass  was  said  in  the  house  of  Mr 
Michael  Stillinger,  but  the  visits  of  Catholic  clergy  in  thost^ 
parts  excited  great  rancor  in  the  minds  of  some  bigoted  peo- 
ple, and  on  one  occjision  Rev.  Mr.  Erosius,  on  his  way  to 
that  town,  was  pursued  by  men  bent  on  doing  him  i)ersonal 
violence.  He  escaped  only  by  the  fleetuess  of  his  good 
horse,  which  carried  himself  siifely  to  the  shelter  of  Stilliu- 
ger's  house.' 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Gallitzin  was  stationed  at  Taneytown  in  time 
and  in  1799  the  Captain  Michael  McGuire  who'  had  settled  at 
Clearfield,  a  ])lace  which  he  visited  early  in  his  career,  gave 
Bishop  Carroll  a  site  f.»r  a  church.     The  Catholics  there  and 
at  Frankstown  and  Sinking  ^'alley  petitioned  the  Bishoj)  iov 
a  pnest,  expressing  their  wish  to  have  Rev.  Mr.  Gallitzin, 
and  as  this  met  the  young  missionary's  views.  Rev.  Mr.  Gal- 
litzin proceeded  to  erect  a  l..g-house  for  him.>^.lf  and  a  log- 
chajK'l,  which  he  completed  on  Christmas  eve,  1799    and 
de<licated   to  Saint  Michael.     -  It  is  alK>ut  forty-four  feet 
long  by  twenty-five,  built  of  white  pine  logs,  with  a  very 
good  shingle  roof.     I  kept  service  n.  it  at  Christmas  for  the 
first  time,  to  the  very  great  satisfaction  of  the  whole  congre- 
gation, who  ^.eemed  very  much  moved  at  a  sight  wliieh  they 
never  Ixiheld  I>efore.     There  is  ak,  a  house  built  for  me, 


'Hife.l.t   Rev    J.   Carroll   to   Kev.   D.   A.  OuJIiUin.   April   17,   179S; 

'!"*'"'  "  ^*^*''  "'  I>«^'"'^t'-i"«  AugU8tln«3  Qallitzln."  New  York,  187.3. 
pp.  Wo~^. 

•  Brownson,  pp.  9»-100. 


THE  ASYLUM  COLONY. 


447 


sixteen  feet  by  fourteen,  besides  a  little  kitchen  and  a  stable. 
I  have  now,  thanks  be  to  God,  a  little  home  of  my  own,  for 
the  first  time  since  I  came  to  this  country,  and  God  grant 
that  I  may  be  able  to  keep  it.     The  prospect  of  forming  a 
lasting  establishment  for  promoting  the  cause  of  religion  is 
very  great ;  the  country  is  amazing  fertile,  almost  entirely 
inhabited  by  "Roman  Catholics,  and  so  advantageously  situ- 
ated with  regard  to  market  that  there  is  no  doubt  but  it  will 
be  a  place  of  refuge  for  a  great  many  Catholics,  a  great 
many  have  bought  property  there  in  the  course  of  these 
three  months  past  and  a  good  many  more  are  expected.    The 
congregation  consists  at  present  of  about  forty  families,  but 
there  is  no  end  to  the  Catholics  in  all  the  settlemente  round 
about  me.     What  will  become  of  them  all,  if  we  do  not  soon 
receive  a  new  supply  of  priests,  I  do  not  know.     I  try  as 
much  as  I  can  to  persuade  them  to  settle  around  me." 

In  January,  apparently  while  on  one  of  his  long  excursions 
to  distant  parts  of  his  district,  he  was  called  to  Che  Sulphur 
Springs,  Virginia,  where  he  received  into  the  church  and 
prepared  for  a  pious  death  Mrs.  Minghini,  whose  conversion 
was  one  of  the  blessed  fruits  of  the  visitation  at  Livingston's 
house.  Prince  Gallitzin,  in  a  letter  to  Bishop  Carroll,  calls 
her  conversion  miraculous.' 

In  1794  a  French  Catholic  colony  was  founded  by  Mr.  de 
Talon  and  Mr.  de  Noailles  at  Asylum,  in  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  opposite  the  Standing  Stone,  where  Father 
Pellentz  in  his  time  had  secured  a  lot  for  a  church.  The 
settlement  contained  about  thirty  families  of  rank,  with  ser- 
vants and  mechanics.  There  were  four  priests  in  the  party— 
the  Rev.  Canon  Bec-deLievre,  Canon  Carles,  Archdeacon 


'  Rev.  D.  A.  Ottllitzin  to  Bishop  Carroll.  February  ».  1800.    She  die<l 
January  22.  1800. 


1.1  •  -t 


448 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


de  Sevigny,  and  tlie  Abbe  Fronientin.  Of  these  only  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Carles  officiated  for  the  people,  and  was  mueii  re- 
spected. He  said  mass  and  administered  the  sacraments  dur- 
ing the  live  years  that  he  remained  at  Asylum,  and  a  missal 
is  preserved,  which,  according  to  tradition,  was  used  by  him.' 
These  settlers  soon  wearied  of  their  project,  and  most  of 
them  returned  to  Europe.  "  When  I  passed  there  in  1805,'' 
writes  the  Abbe  Dilhet,  "  I  gave  a  mission  to  the  good 
French  deceived  in  their  hopes,  and  unfortunately  so  long 
deprived  of  the  succors  of  religion.  They  attended  the  re- 
ligious exercises  very  strictly  during  the  fortnight  that  the 
mission  lasted.  They  all  approached  the  sacraments,  and  by 
their  sincere  return  to  God  gave  the  sweetest  consolation 
that  a  priest  of  the  Lord  can  experience  in  the  functions  of 
his  ministry." 

The  Trappists  had  in  1803  thought  of  settling  there,  as' 
land  was  offered  them,  but  Kev.  Mr.  Dilhet's  visit  seems  to 
have  been  the  last  priestly  one.  and  the  settlers  and  their  de- 
scendants gradually  lost  what  little  faith  they  had.' 

Besides  the  church  attempted  at  Greensburg,  another  foot- 
hold for  Catholicity  was  giiined  l)y  a  priest  named  Rev  Tlie- 
o<lore  Brouwers;  he  is  said  to  have  been  a  native  of  Holland, 
but  came  from  the  Danish  West  Indies.  Receiving  faculties 
from  Bishop  Carroll,  he  proceeded  to  Westmoreland  County, 
Pennsylvaiiia,  and  on  the  7th  of  August,  178!«,  purchased  an 
estate  of  lf!5  acres,  known  as  O'XeiU's  Victo'.v,  and  Ivintr  at 
the  foot  of  Chestnut  Ilidge.     Finding  it  too  far  from  tiie 


'  I.a  Rwlicfoiirftuld  r.inncourt,  "  VoyRgc  dans  Ips  Etnts  UniB,"  Pnris, 
vii.-i..  pp.  1,51-170.     Letter  of  Uev.  M.  .1.  Hoban,  of  Troy,  Pii. 

'  De  Courcy,  "  Cittliolic  Church  in  the  United  Stntes,"  New  York, 
IS-W.  pp.  298-4  ;  Dilhet.  "  Etat  Prewnl  de  lEglise."  Mr.  de  Coiircy 
supiKiseii  the  Kev.  Mr.  ("arles,  of  Asylum,  to  Im'  the  siune  priest  ii»  the 
Kev.  Ant.  Carles,  of  Savannah,  but  the  latter  came  to  Savannah  from  St. 
Domingo  in  18U3. 


REV.   THEODORE  BROUWERS. 


449 


great  body  of  Catholic  settlers,  he  wintered  with  Simon 
Ruffner,  and  in  the  spring  purchased  for  £470  a  farm  known 
as  Sportsman's  Hall,  nine  miles  from  Greensburg.     Here  he 
erected  a  log-hut,  but  continued  to  say  mass  at  Ruffner's 
house.     His  plans  for  the  spiritual  benefit  of  the  people  of 
Western  Pennsylvania  were  not  to  be  effected  by  him  in 
life.     His  health  failed  rapidly,  and  while  at  the  altar  one 
Sunday  in  June,  1790,  he  became  too  ill  to  complete  the 
august  sacrifice.     He  lingered  through  the  summer,  and  was 
attended  by  the  Recollect  P^ither  Causse.     Finding  his  end 
approaching,  he  made  liis  will  on  the  24th  of  October,  and 
died  five  days  afterward. 

By  his  will  he  left  the  property  he  had  purchased  to  the 
Catholic  priest  "  that  shall  succeed  him  in  this  said  place." 
"  It  is  my  will  that  the  prie>.t  for  the  time  being  sliall  trans- 
mit the  land  so  left  him  ....  to  his  successor." 

Before  Bishop  Carroll  could  provide  a  jiriest  to  carry  on 
the  good  work  projected  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brouwers,  a  Fran- 
ciscan who,  in  1789,  had  come  to  this  country  from  Ger- 
many, unsolicited  and  unknown,  Father  Francis  Fronnn,  and 
who  had  been  sent  by  Bishop  Carroll  to  the  missions  in  York 
and   Lancaster  Counties,  Pennsylvania,  left   his   appointed 
field  of  labor  and  proceeded  to  Westmoreland  County,  where 
lie  assumed  control  of  the  estate  of  the  deceased  priest.     In 
August,  1791,  he  wrote  to  Bishop  Carroll  announcing  that 
he  had  been  chosen  by  the  congregation,  and  was  in  posses- 
sion     It  was  one  cf  several  indications  at  that  time  of  the 
disposition  to  deny  and  defy  the  power  of  the  Bishop  of 

Baltimore. 

The  good  jieople,  at  first  deluded  by  his  professions  of 
piety,  soon  attempted  to  get  rid  of  the  intruder,  but  were 
compelled  to  connncTice  legal  proceedings  in  the  name  of  the 
executors  of  Rev.  Mr.  T.rouwers.     It  was  one  of  the  first 


■I 


'W. 


f  p 


•4. 


■a 


400 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


cases  in  which  ii:e  discipline  and  polity  of  the  Catholic 
Church  came  l)efore  a  civil  tribunal  in  America.  The  case, 
impeded  by  the  usual  delays,  came  in  1798  before  Judge 
Alexander  Addison,  President  of  the  Courts  of  Common 
Pleas  of  the  Fifth  Circuit  of  the  iState  of  Pennsylvania. 
Fromm's  lawyer  argued  his  oase  abJy,  but  the  Judge  laid 
down  the  law  distinctly  : 

"  The  Bishop  of  Baltimore  has,  and  before,  and  at  the 
time  of  Fromm's  taking  possession  of  tins  estat* ,  bi^d  the 
sole  episcopal  authority  over  the  Caiholie  Church  of  the 
United  States.  Every  Catholic  congrt^gation  within  th. 
United  ^•tate8  is  subject  to  hip  inspection  ,  and  without  au- 
thority from  hiiu,  i\o  C-itholic  [wriest  can  exercise  any  })as- 
toral  functions  ovt*  iUiy  congregation  within  the  United 
States.  Without  his  appoin'i.ient  or  permission  to  exercise 
pastoral  f unctions  over  thh  eougro^ration,  no  priest  can  be 
intitled,  under  the  will  ot  !L^io\vei"9.  to  claim  the  enjoyment 
of  this  estate.  FrcdtUis  had  no  sucii  appointment  or  })ermis- 
sion,  and  is,  therefore,  in"om])etent  to  discharge  the  duties, 
or  enjoy  the  benefits,  wiiich  are  the  objects  of  the  will  of 
Browers." 

The  jury,  under  the  direction  of  the  judge,  gave  a  verdict 
ai:rain8t  Fron)m,  and  the  intruding  priest  was  ousted  from  the 
esicte,  which  has  in  our  days  realized  the  wishes  of  the  good 
priest  Brouwers,  by  becoming  the  site  of  the  great  Benedic- 
tine Abb^y  of  St.  Vincent,  and  has  been  a  source  of  spiritual 
blessings  to  the  land. 

The  case  iKHUime  a  leading  one,  and  established  in  the 
courts  the  authority  of  a  Roman  Catholic  Bishop.' 


'  Addiwn,  "  UcporLs  of  (^a«ea  in  the  County  Courtfl  of  tlip  Fifth  Cir- 
cuit," Washington,  m*0,  ;>p.  .%2-372 ;  Deeds  and  Will  in  [Moosniallcr] 
"  8t.  Vincenz  in  PennsyWfuiicn,"  New  York,  18T3,  pp.  :t.")7-U0.5.  Stale- 
ment  of  Fromm's  caw  in  Arctibishop  Carroll's  handwriting,  in  tlie  Ar- 


WESTERN  PENNSYLVANIA. 


461 


The  Rev.  Lawrence  S.  Phelati  was  sent  by  Bishop  Carroll 
to  care  for  the  flock  misled  by  Fronini ;  that  priest,  however, 
not  only  kept  possession  of  the  farm,  but  trumped  up  a 
chiirqe  against  Itcv.  Mr.  Phelan  and  those  who  favored  him, 
and  '  ;•  e  lawful  priest  and  several  others  were  arrested  on  a 
chnri.^  of  conspiring  to  murder  Frouim. 

Kf  V.  Mr.  Phelan,  taking  up  his  abode  with  Simon  RufTner, 
labored  on  to  effect  what  good  he  could,  but  soon  relinquished 
the  struggle,  and  was  some  years  after  laboring  zealously  at 
Chambersburg.' 

The  Rev.  Peter  Ilelbron  was  sent  by  Bishop  Carroll  to 
tins  mission  in  1800,  and  as  Fromni  had  gone  to  Philadelphia 
to  carry  his  suit  to  a  higher  court,  and  died  there  of  yellow 
fever  unreconciled,  the  way  was  o])en  for  efficient  work. 
"When  Father  Ilelbron  got  possession  of  Sportsman's  Hall, 
between  May  and  August,  he  wrote :  "  My  dwelling  shall 
no  more  be  called  Sportsman's  Hall,  bnt  Clear  Spring,  near 
Greensburg."    He  erected  the  first  church,  a  log-house  twenty- 
six  feet  by  twenty.     He  labored  zealously  for  several  years, 
aided  a  part  of  the  time  by  a  Rev.  Mr.  Flyun,     In  one  tour 
in  1805  he  visited  five  counties,  baptizing  ninety  children, 
and  even  then,  writing  from  Pittsburgh,  he  said  he  would 
visit  "Washington,  Roundstone,  and  York  River  before  he 
returned  home.     This  hard-working  Capuchin  continued  his 
life  of  toil  on  the  Western  Pennsylvania  missi.ns  till  1815, 
when  a  tumor  on  his  neck  defied  the  skill  oi  the  country 
physicians.     He  visited  Philadelphia,  but  his  case  was  beyond 


chives  at  Bnltimore,  dated  August  24,  1798.  Liimbing,  "  A  History  of 
the  Crttholic  Church  in  tlie  Dioceses  of  Pittsburgli  and  Allegheny,"  New 
York.  1880.  pp.  361-4. 

'  Rev.  Lawrence  Sil.  Phe'-m  to  Bishop  Carroll,  October  17,  1795; 
ChnmlKTsburg,  March  7,  1807.  Father  MoosinUller  gives  the  name 
Wheeling,  but  his  letters  show  his  real  name. 


4.52 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


remedy,  and  lie  died  at  Carlisle  toward  the  close  of  1816 
while  on  his  way  to  his  poor  home. 

During  his  ministry  he  endeavored  to  build  a  chnreh  at 
Greensbnrg,  and  sought  leg-al  authority  in  1806  to  get  up  a 
lottery  for  tlie  purix)se.' 

In  1790  the  Rev.  Patrick  Lonergan,  O.S.F.,  went  to  West- 
ern Pennsylvania,  intending  to  take  up  lands  and  draw  Cath- 
olic settlers  to  them.  Here  he  intended  not  only  to  estjiblish 
a  house  of  his  order,  but  also  a  convent  of  religious  women, 
his  sister,  a  nun,  having  acpompaiiied  him  with  that  view, 
lie  was  at  Northumberland  in  171)6."  lie  is  said  next  to 
have  proceeded  to  Rev.  Mr.  Brouwers'  place  in  AVestmore- 
land  County,  where  Fromm  still  held  possession,  and  finding 
it  impossible  to  plant  his  colony  there,  purchased  several 
thonsjind  acres  at  West  Alexander,  in  Washington  County. 
He  wrote  to  Bishop  Carroll  from  Milltown,  twenty  miles 
from  his  purchase,  January  24,  1707.  asking  to  have  Irish 
Catholic  settlers  directed  to  him,  as  they  would  enjoy  all  the 
Iwnefits  of  religion.  His  last  removal  was  to  Waynesburg, 
Greene  County.'  His  schemes  of  colonization  all  proved 
abortive ;  he  left  Pennsylvania  and  descended  the  Missis- 
sippi, only  to  die  at  New  Orleans.' 

Nothing  had  yet  been  done  to  revive  religion  at  the  town 

'  Rov.  P.  irpll)ron  to  Bishop  f'nrroll.  Pliiliidclphia,  April  17.  1800; 
Sportsmnn's  Hall.  August  20,  lH(Kt ;  (liar  Spriiifr,  March  19,  1802,  March 
16,  18(>7;  Philadelphia,  \ovcml)er  22,  1800,  DcmnlHT  11,  1808. 

'  Rev.  Patrick  Lonorpan  to  Bi.shop  (  arroll,  .May  5,  NovcihIkt  22, 170(1. 

•  Rev.  P.  Ildbron  to  Bishop  Carroll,  NovcuiIht  1, 1805,  Mr.  Collfriok, 
H  printer  at  Washington,  had  recently  paid  the  tiuxes  on  the  i)r<)ptrty  to 
save  it. 

*  Lamltinp,  "A  History  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  Dioceses  of 
Pittsburgh  and  Allegheny,"  New  Vork.  1880.  p.  227  ;  Letter  from  Mill- 
town,  Pa.,  .January  24,  1797;  Moosmllller,  "  St.  Vluceuz  in  Penusylva- 
nien,"  New  York,  1878,  p.  70. 


ALEXANDRIA. 


453 


which  had  grown  up  on  the  site  of  Fort  Duquesne  and  the 
chapel  of  the  Assumption  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  at  the  Beau- 
tiful River.     The  Rev.  Michael  Fournier,  on  his  way  to 
Kentucky  in  the  winter  of  l79t;-7,  was  detiiined  for  fourteen 
weeks  at  Fort  Pitt,  but  though  he  said  mass  there  for  the 
Catholics  every  Sunday,  they  were  so  indifferent  that,  out  of 
more  than  a  hundred,  only  six  ever  came  to  enjoy  the  privi- 
lege of  being  present  at  the  august  sacrifice.'     They  pro- 
fessed, however,  an  intention  of  building  a  church  and  ap- 
plying to  the  Bishop  for  a  pastor.     Two  priests,  on  their 
way  to  Natchez,  Rev.  Messrs.  Maguire  and  Bodkin,  also 
^\^ntercd  at  this  time  at  Pittsburgh.'     The  Sulpitian,  Rev. 
John  Dilhet,  who  stopped  there  in  1798,  save :  "  I  found  the 
people  very  eager  to  have  a  priest.     I  wrote  to  the  Bishop 
of  ]3altimore,  who  has  ever  since  supplied  them  with  one. 
In  place  of  the  ehapel  which  has  been  used  till  now  (1805), 
a  subscription  has  been  taken  up  to  build  a  church."  ' 

Religion  was  thus  progressing  in  Western  Pennsylvania. 

Rev.  Mr.  Thayer  retired  from  Boston,  and  was  stationed 
in  1794  at  Alexandria,  but  was  unhappy  there,  not  being  ac- 
customed to  the  institution  of  slavery  as  he  found  it  in  the 
South.  In  1790  the  trustees  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  New 
Yc  rk,  solicited  the  Bishop  to  appoint  him  as  assistant  to  Rev. 
William  O'Brien,  but  the  latter  was  reluctant  to  receive 
him.*  and  Dr.  Carroll  would  not  force  on  the  rector  of  St. 


'  Rev.  M.  Fournier  to  Bishop  Carroll,  Priest's  Land,  Ky.,  March  2, 
1797. 

"  Same  to  same.  Pittsburgh,  November  22,  1796. 

»  Dilhet,  "  Etat  Present  de  I'Eglise." 

*  Bishop  CanoU  to  Thomas  Stoughton.  July  5.  1796.  Same  to  Rev. 
William  O'Brien,  same  date. 


it,' 


'■i\ 


i^ 


Vi 


r  :>' 


4U 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Peter's  an  aseiHtanf  <HstnstefuI  to  liini.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Thayer, 
who  was  evidently  little  titted  tor  parochial  Work,  becunir 
(liwoouraged,  and  asked  to  leave  the  fliooese,  to  wluch  the 
Bishop,  who  knew  his  merit,  n  ^^(^i^^Hly■  > .    sonted. 

But  Rev.  Mr.  Thayer  niKhn-Ujok,  .  •\e  shuU  see,  a  mis- 
sion in  Kentucky  for  a  time,  with  equally  discouraffinff 
results,  lie  then  went  ;  ■  Kuro]x>,  and  died  in  Limerick 
after  rendering  great  servici's  to  religion. 

After  the  first  mission  olinrts  at  Apoquimink  in  Delaware, 
the  Jesuit  Fathers,  according  to  their  usuiil  uslom,  .viure 
there  seemed  a  hope  of  gathering  a  Catholic  c<mgregation, 
purchased  a  piece  of  pro|)erty.  f\ither  Matthew  Sittens- 
perger,  known  nn  the  mission  by  the  name  of  Manners,  ac- 
quired in  Januury,  1772,  a  farm  in  Mill  Creek  Hundred.' 
On  this  projx'rty,  knf)wn  also  as  Cftffee  Run,  a  log-chapel 
dedicated  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  a  residence  were  put  up 
which  starved  for  many  years. 

The  atrrtcities  of  the  negroes  in  Saint  Domingo  drove 
many  of  the  French  from  that  island  to  this  country,  and 
some  settled  at  Wilmingtcm  with  the  Rev.  Stephen  Faure, 
to  whom  Bishop  Carroll  gave  faculties.  lie  died  at  Bohemia, 
August  21,  17!>H,  leavimr  the  reputation  of  a  ])iou8,  charita- 
ble, and  learned  priest.  He  was  succeeded  as  paster  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Cibot,  who  had  been  Vice-Prefect  Apostolic  in  St. 
Dtmiingo,' 

In  1800  St.  Mary's  had  as  its  pastor  the  Rev.  Charles 
Whelan,  who  from  it  attended  Wilcox's,  Westchester,  Jen- 
kin-',  and  O'Neill's.     Five  ■•  ics  later  he  was    -ill  on  thiit 


<  Father  Mnnnpn  boin^  an  Hlinn,  the  deed  could  not  bi*  made  to  bim  ; 
it  was  made  to  Father  Jolin  Lewis. 

'  Records  of  the  A.  C.  Hist.  Society,  Philadelphia,  !»/<',  I.,  pp.  189, 
142. 


m 


KENTUCKY. 


455 


misflion,  enduring  much  from  the  teniint  of  the  clurcii  farm.' 
Ho  di(Ml  on  the  2lHt  cf  March  in  the  foHowing  year,  1806. 
Went  of  the  AlleghanieH,  Kentucky  r^iuircd  the  care  of 

Biwliop  Carroll. 

The  Kev.  Mr.  Ikdhi  waH  appointed  to  the  Kentucky  mis- 
Bion*^,  which  Rev.  Mr.  Whclan  had  ahundoued  while  Binhop 
Carroll  was  in  Europe     The  young  pricHt  set  out  from  Balti- 
more, Septeniher  6,  1793,  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  liarrieres,  who 
bad  l)een  appointed  Vicar-General.     They  travelled  on  f.)Ot 
to  Pittsburg.    Then  in  a  fiuiall  flat-boat,  with  six  companions 
all  wcU-anu.d,  they  descended  the  Ohio,  past  Wheeling  and 
Marietta  to  Ciallipolis.     Here  they  found  the  remnant  of  the 
Scioto  colony.    The  arrival  of  the  two  priests  was  hailed  with 
juy,  and  for  three  days  they  exerted  themselves  to  relieve 
the'  spiritual  destitution.     They  sang  high       iss  at  an  altar 
reflred  in  the  garrison  or  log-fort  and  baptiz.     forty  children. 
Landing   at   MaysvUle,  then   called   Limestone,  they  re- 
smncd  their  toilsome  march  and  passing  over  the  Blue  Licks 
battlo-ground,  reached  Lexington.     Welcomed  here  in  the 
house  of  Dennis  McCarthy,  Rev.  m.  Badin  said  mass  on  the 
first  Sunday  of  Advent,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Barrieres  rode  sixteen 
miles  to  ihe  C    'ol^     settlement  in  Scott  County,  where  he 
also  offered  the        v     icrifice.     Rev.  Mr.  Badin  made  Scott 
County  tlH'     mtre  of   his  missions,  while  Very  Rev.  Mr. 
Barrie'rcp  tiegau  hi«  labor    in  Nelson  County.     The  latter 
clergyman,  howe'        ^)on    o,md  that  he  was  unfitted  for  the 
nunistry  in  tho   bu>     vck  ■..     After  four  months'  trial  he 
abandoned  the  lield,  ana        April,  ITIU,  set  out  f..r  New 
Orlea      in  a  i>eriaKun.     Rev.  Mr.  B.adin  was  thus  left  ahnost 
alone  in  Kentucky,  and  remained  so  for  neariy  three  years, 
receivin-  little  aid  in  the  exercise         the^ministry  froni 

oek  Hundred,  Janu- 


'  Rev.  Charles  Whdan  to  Bishop  Carroll.  M 
ary  14,  1800 ;  White  Clay  Creek,  January  28,  1 


I 


4fi6 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL, 


■>     1 


Father  do  Rohan,  wlio  wus  igiionint,  carclcHs,  and  l)y  no 
means  edifyinj?.  Tlio  yomif?  prieHt  waH  thoroughly  JiH- 
heartened.  In  Iuh  k«tterH  to  Hinhop  Carroll  he  hewailed  the 
(liHorderH  tl  it  exintni.  The  youth  Heeined  entranced  from 
the  faith  and  from  morality;  ignorant  of  their  religion  and 
its  duties.  Tlio  Rev.  Mr.  Radin  was,  however,  a  man  es- 
peoially  Htted  for  the  field,  and  luV  m-age  and  energy  never 
relaxed.  Ho  was  constantly  on  Inn  pastoral  visits  from  set- 
tlement to  wttlement,  gathering  and  inHtructing  old  and 
young,  hearing  eonfessions,  saying  mass.  After  a  time  he 
fixed  his  residence  on  T\.ttinger's  (Jreek,  and  erecting  a  log- 
hut  on  the  site  of  tli  present  Ix)retto  convent,  (^ave  it  the 
name  of  St.  Stephen's. 

The  chief  stations  where  Rev.  Mr.  Badin  gathered  his  ik'o- 
ple,  were  at  I^'xington,  in  Scott,  Aladison,  and  Mercer  Coun- 
ties, at  Holy  Cross  the  only  church,  still  an  uiiglazed,  clajv 
Iwarded,  log-chajx'l.  with  a  slah  <»f  w.kkI  for  an  altar ;  at 
Hardstown,  on  Carlwriglit's  Creek,  near  the  site  of  the  pres- 
ent St.  Rose's  church,  Hardin's  Creek,  Rolling  Fork,  and 
Poplar  Neck. 

Though  tempted  by  the  offer  of  a  convenient  house  and  a 
fixed  salary  by  the  Sj)anish  (iovernor  at  St.  Cienevicve,  Hev. 
Mr.  Hadin  sturdily  clung  to  the  hard  mission  to  which  Bishop 
Carroll  had  after  their  united  prayer  assigned  him. 

In  1707  lie  was  cheered  by  the  arrival  of  the  Rev.  Micliael 
C.  J.  Fournier,  who  reached  St.  Stephen's  on  the  2<>th  of 
Febniary.  This  co-lalwrer  took  up  his  residence  on  the 
Rolling  Fork,  where  he  erected  a  house  whirh  served  as  a 
chapel.  Assuming  the  charge  of  the  Catholics  on  Ilarlin's. 
Cartwright's,  and  Rough  Creeks,  and  those  in  Lincoln  and 
Madison  Counties,  this  excellent  and  pious  priest,  adapting 
himself  at  once  to  the  flock  assigned  to  him,  labored  so 
cheerfully  and  zealously  till   his  death  in  1803,  tlmt  his 


KENTUCKY. 


4fi7 


memory  is  prosorvod  in  houaohold  recollections  of  his  miii- 

i«try  to  this  day. 

In  n91>  Kenhic'ky  received  two  otlicr  priests,  Rev.  An- 
tlumy  8alm<»n,  who  soon  after,  risliij?  from  a  sick-bed  to  visit 
Mardstown,  was  thrown  from  his  liorse  and  received  injuries 
from  which  he  expired  the  next  day ;  and  tlie  Rev.  Jolm 
Tliayer,  who  faiUng  to  adapt  himself  to  ])arochial  work  in 
the  East  had  iKjen  sent  by  Bishop  Carroll  to  Kentucky ;  but 
the  satne  trouble  ensued  and  he  was  advised  by  his  Superior 
to  leave  Kentucky. 

Hev.  Mr.  Salmon  in  his  brief  career  had  commenced  the 
erection  of  churches  at  Rardstown  and  Hardin's  Creek,  each 
of  which  stations  had  some  seventy  Catholic  families.'  The 
iiret  churches  in  the  State  were,  like  the  houses  of  the  settlers, 
log  structures,  St.  Joseph's  near  Hardstown  datinj;  back  to 
17i>3  apjiarently,  though  some  make  it  three  years  older. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Thayer  labored  in  Kentucky  for  four  years, 
but  he  was  unfitted  for  a  slave  State,  and  his  life  did  not 
meet  the  strict  views  of  Rev.  Mr.  Badin.  In  1803,  Bishop 
Carroll  havitig  withdrawn  his  faculties,  he  left  the  State  and 
went  to  Euroi>e. 

With  Cutholies  multiplying  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  and 
appeals  pouring  in  for  priests,  Bishop  Carroll  turned  to  Ire- 
land and  solicited  aid.  But  the  French  Revolution  had 
swept  away  the  colleges  in  different  parts  of  Europe  which 
had  l)een  hivjs  for  keeping  up  the  Irish  clergy.     The  College 


•  Spaldinp,  "Skclchca  of  the  enrly  Catholic  Missions  of  Kentucky." 
Louisville,  1S44.  pp.  56.  60-81;  Webb,  "Centenary  of  Cntholicity  in 
Kentucky,"  Louisville.  1884,  pp.  162-169.  p.  Ill  ;  Rev.  S.  T.  Budin  to 
Hishop  CrtrroU,  April  11  and  .June  28.  1796  ;  Rev.  M.  V.  .T.  Fournier  to 
sume.  November  22.  1796.  and  March  2,  1797  ;  Rev.  A.  Salmon  to  same, 
Mav  27,  1799.  "  Oripine  et  Progri^s  de  la  Mission  du  Kentucks  '  Paris, 
1821,  pp.  8-7 ;  Right  Itev.  John  Carroll  to  Rev.  John  Thayer,  July  31, 
180l! 

20 


w.  ,* 


'    1 


m 


1='^ 


':i 


m 

7  5  i 


4r 


4.58 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


at  Maynooth  was  about  to  open,  but  some  years  would  neces- 
sarily elapse  before  it  giive  so  many  that  Ireland  could  spare 
any  worthy  priests  for  the  American  mission.  In  regard  to 
Maynooth,  Archbishop  Troy,  of  Dublin,  writing;  to  Dr.  Carroll, 
mid  :  "  This  will  be  a  great  and  most  providential  supply  and 
resource,  but  inadequate  to  our  wants,  as  a  much  greater  nnni- 
ber  we-e  educated  in  the  supjiressed  foreign  establishments. 
Besides  the  scarcity  will  be  most  sensibly  felt  before  the  200 
can  finish  their  studies,  after  the  shortest  possible  course. 
Your  Lordship  may  conclude  from  this  statement,  that  no  as- 
sistance to  your  diocese  can  be  expected  from  hence,  from 
such  clergymen  as  I  would  conscientiously  recommend."  ' 

In  a  Lenten  Pastoral,  Bishop  Carroll  exliorted  the  Catlio- 
lics  of  his  diocese  to  a  due  ob  "^•ance  of  the  holy  season  of 
mortitication  an<l  prayer.  lie  laid  down  regulations,  few  be- 
yond the  limits  of  the  old  Maryland  and  ]\>nnsylvania  mis- 
si.tns,  having  any  knowledge  of  those  prescribed  for  the 
col(inie>  early  in  the  century  by  that  confessor  of  the  faith. 
Bishop  Bonaventure  GiiTard. 

Bishop  Carroll  began  i>y  calling  the  attention  of  the  peo- 
ple to  the  condition  of  the  Church  and  the  necessity  for 
prayer  and  moitiiication.  "On  one  side,  many  awful  mani- 
festatioTis  of  divine  displeasure  give  great  cause  to  fear  that 
Sovereign  Justice  has  been  and  now  is  highly  ]>rovoked  bv 
liuman  inirpiities.  The  calamitous  state  of  Christianity  ;  the 
violent  and  increasing  oppressions  of  the  holy  Church  ;  the 
destruction  of  its  venerable  sanctuaries ;  the  breaking  up  of 
numerous  establishments,  instituted  for  the  preservation  an<l 
extension  of  true  religion  ;  tho  abolition,  as  far  as  human 
means  could  etTect  it,  of  asylums  and  facilities  for  the  ob- 
servance of  the  evangelical  counsels,  and  the  integrity  of 


Archlushop  Troy  to  Higlit  Hcv    Dr.  Carroll,  April  13,  1798. 


LENTEN  PASTORAL. 


459 


Christian  perfection,  the  dispersion  and  outrages  committed 
on  the  lawful  pastors  of  the  Church,  the  long  rigorous  con- 
iinement  of  and  interception  of  all  correspondence  between 
the  Vicar  of  Christ  and  the  Hock  committed  to  his  pastoral 
charge  ;  the  innninent  danger  of  fatal  divisions  in  the  bosom 
of  the  Cimrch,  bursting  asunder  the  bonds  which  unite  to- 
gether its  children  in  One  Faith  under  One  Divine  Shepherd, 
and  his  representative  on  earth  the  Successor  of  St.  Peter. 
These  and  other  awful  tokens  of  divine  disijleasure,  evidence 
the  necessity  ai\d  obligation  of  using  our  earnest  endeavors 
U)  appease  the  wrath  of  heaven,  in  order  to  avert  present 
evils  and  t'lose  still  to  be  apprehended." 

"  O  Beloved  r.rethren  !  what  powerful  motives  concur  to 
persuade  us  to  devote  the  acceptal»le  time,  the  days  of  salva- 
tion now  approaching,  for  obtaining  the  desirable  and  salu- 
tary objects  for  which  the  Apostolic  institution  of  Lent  was 
introduced  !     We  have  to  solicit  for  the  church  Divine  pro- 
tection and  its  freedom  from  violence  and  inthrahnents,  for 
the  restoration  of  peace  to  all  nations,  and  especially  its  pre- 
servation in  these  United  States,  for  the  deliverance  of  our 
veneral)le  PontilT  from  his  dis;istrous  captivity  and  his  resto- 
ration to  the  free  and  independent  government  of  the  Church, 
for  steatlfastncss  in  the  faith  and  unshaken  constancy  in  the 
ministers  of  the  sanctuary,  and  of  each  one  of  us  particularly, 
amidst  all  the  violent  assaults  of  infidelity  and  examples  of 
licentiousness  and  dissolution  of  manners." 

lie  urged  them  to  renewed  prayer  and  fervor,  to  detach- 
ment from  unholy  amusements,  and  to  a  spirit  of  mortiti- 

cation.' 

Ill  lT'.»l)some  correspondence  took  place  between  P>ishop 
Carroll  and  the  Bishop  of  the  adjoining  diocese  of  Louisiana 


'  Right  Rev.  John  CiirroU,  Lcnton  Piisloral. 


460 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


and  tlie  Floridas,  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Luis  Pefialver.  Bishop 
Carroll  did  not  easily  find  priests  to  accept  the  remote  mis- 
sions on  the  Mississippi  from  Kaskaskia  to  Natchez,  and 
when  a  priest  undertook  any  of  these  frontier  positions,  he 
soon  became  discouraged,  as  the  people  showed  little  inclina- 
tion to  support  a  priest  or  to  benefit  l)y  his  ministry.  Bevond 
the  Mississippi  was  a  Catholic  province  where  jiriests  were 
needed,  and  where  the  clergy  received  regularly  a  stipend 
from  the  King  of  Spain.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that 
some  abandoned  their  thankless  laboi-s  on  the  eastern  shore 
for  the  more  attractive  field  of  labor  beyond, 

Bis'iop  Carroll  wrote  to  the  Bishop  of  Louisiana  on  the 


^  O&i*jS0  J<y(c^cS^ 


U^Jfatyi^ 


HONATUUK  OF  UT.  UEV.  I.l  IS 
PKSaI.VEU  Y  CAltUENAS,  BISHOP 
OF  LOriSIANA. 


W 


18th  of  October,  17!)S,  in  regard  to  Father  Charles  Leander 
LusMtn,  whom  Bishoj)  Carroll  had  ai)j)()inted  to  a  mission  in 
Illinois,  but  who  had  crossed  the  river  to  become  j)arinh 
priest  of  St.  Charles,  representing  that  he  had  lost  the  exeat 
he  received  from  Bishop  (.'arroll,  when  in  fact  none  bad 
been  given.  Bishop  Pefialver  courteuusly  admitted  that  he 
had  I)een  deceived  and  offered  to  remove  him. 

He  also  informed  Bishop  Carroll  that  as  the  Spanish  gov- 
ernment had  relincjuished  to  the  United  States  Natchez  and 
Vicksburg,  a  district  captured  from  the  English  and  dis- 
tinctly yielded  to  Spain  liy  treaty,  steps  should  l>e  taken  to 
secure  l\w  church  ])ro|M'rty  at  Natchez  and  Coles  Creek  or 
Villa  Gayoso,  which  had  been  left  under  the  care  of  Don 


CHARLESTON,   S.  C. 


461 


Jose  Vidal,  the  Spanish  consul.  Until  Bishop  Carroll  conld 
provide  for  these  churches,  Bishop  Peflalver  had  permitted 
the  Rev.  Francis  Lennan,  then  parish  priest  of  Pointe  Coupee, 
to  visit  his  former  Hock  from  time  to  time,  and  offer  the  holy 
sacriliee  at  the  two  churches.' 

In  Cluu-leston  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gallagher  had  been  a  serious 
detriment  to  the  cause  of  religion.  Bishop  Carroll  wrote  : 
«  It  is  melancholy  to  heiu-  of  the  languor  of  piety,  neglect  of 
the  sacraments  and  other  abuses,  which  diminish  the  respect 
due  to  the  maxims  of  the  gospel  and  the  decency  of  divine 
worship."  He  endeavored,  in  vain,  to  induce  the  talented 
but  irregular  priest  to  transfer  the  charge  of  the  church  to 
the  Rev?  Mr.  Ryan  ;  Rev.  Mr.  Gallagher  appealed  to  Rome," 
and  left  Charleston  to  prosecute  his  cause. 

In  September,  1803,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Le  Mercier,  who  had 
been  appointed  by  VAAxo^  Carroll  to  the  church  in  Charles- 
ton, presented  his  credentials  to  the  trustees,  but  they  refused 
to  recognize  him  as  i)a.stor  of  the  church,  or  as  anything  bvt 
a  '' locum  tenens."  till  the  return  of  Rev.  Mr.  Gallagher. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Le  Mercier  refused  any  such  conditional  ac- 
ceptance, as  his  appointment  by  Bishop  Carroll  was  uncondi- 
tional.' When  Rev.  Mr.  Gallagher  returned  he  prevented 
Rev.  Mr.  Le  Mercier  from  saying  mass  at  the  altar  of  the 

church.* 

The  next  year  Gallagher  was  interdicted  by  Bishop  Carroll 
from  all  funetioiks  except  that  of  sayiiig  mass  in  his  own 


n.i 


:  '1-: 


1  Bishop  PeniilviT  to  Bishop  Carroll,  Xew  Orleans,  April  IJ.  i:«9. 

Miishop  Carroll  t..  Hov.  S.  V.  ti.U.irlu.r,  July  11,  IHOl,  November  3, 
t8(V>  •  to  Mr.  Samuel  Corbet,  November  10,  IHOl. 

-Rev.  Mr.  Le  Mereier  to  Bishop  Carroll.  Charleston.  September  7. 
1H(W. 

«  Letter  Jiinuury  23,  1804. 


...i^iii 


mmsmsiMmsmfi 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


'%i 


f 


house.'  TFie  trustees  then  ordered  the  old  church  to  be  torn 
down,  in  order  to  prevent  tlie  priest  api)ointed  by  Bishop 
Carroll  from  ofliciating ;  but  an  indignant  nieetiiior  of  the 
Catholics  at  large  pi-evented  the  sacrilege.  Gallagher  then 
opened  a  public  chapel  in  his  house,'  and  continued  to  exer- 
cise the  ministry  even  in  North  Carolina. 

Rev.  Mr.  Le  Mereier  visited  the  scattered  Catholics,  and  in 
1805  was  at  Raleigh,  North  Carolina.'  lie  labored  for  some 
years  at  Charleston,  endeavoring  to  rejiair  the  injury  done  to 
religion  by  (irallagher,  who  retained  possession  of  the  church. 
Mr.  Le  Mereier  died  on  his  way  to  France  about  18()*i,  and 
in  IS  12  Archbishop  Carroll  confided  the  difficult  task  of 
keeping  religion  alive  to  Rev.  Joseph  Pierre  Picot  de  Clori- 
vitire.  lie  was  assiduous  in  catechizing  the  young,  having 
sixty  white  children  in  his  Sunday-school,  and  a  separate 
class  of  colored  children,' 

Georgia,  in  colonial  days,  had  been  closed  to  the  Church, 
the  fundamental  cliarter  expressly  ])rohibitiiig  the  settlement 
of  'athdlii's  witliin  its  limits,  and  thus  distinctly  excludiu'jj 
the  teaching  of  divine  truth. 

The  Revolutionary  war  opened  the  portals  which  bigotry 
bad  closed. 

The  first  priest  to  establish  tlie  worship  of  God  in  Georgia, 
where  in  earlier  days  the  Spanish  Franciscans  had  conducted 
missions  whose  succes-s  was  the  reward  of  martyr  heroism  in 
the  pioneers,  was  the  Abbe  Ije  Moine. 

Of  the  date  when  his  labors  com/nencetl  no  data  remain  ; 


'  This  was  ou  August  Mi,  1805     TjOtter  of  Lc  Mereier,  September  12, 
IHOS. 
'  Le  Merrier  to  Risliop  r«rroII.  Hrpteml)er  12,  1805. 
'  Judjjc  Oastoii  to  Biniiop  Cftrroll.  (/ciolier  25,  1805. 
*  Rev.  Picot  di'  Clorivirre  to  Bixhop  rurroll.  .luiiuary  20,  1813;  No- 


If  r 


SAVANNAH,    GA. 


468 


but  he  died  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1796,  after  having 
won  the  greatest  respect  and  consideration  by  his  zeal  and 
virtue.  He  directed  a  layman,  Mr.  Duchesneau,  to  take  pos- 
session of  everythirw  belonging  to  the  Catholic  chapel  which 
he  had  established  and  transmit  all  to  Bishop  Carroll.  Among 
the  articles  were  vestments  recently  sent  to  him  by  his  brother 

in  Paris. 

His  death  led  to  great  confusion.  The  French  consul 
seized  all  the  church  effects  as  private  property  of  the  good 
priest;  the  Spaniards  belonging  to  a  prize  endeavored  to 
give  him  an  honorable  funeral,  but  the  crew  of  some  French 
privateers  made  it  an  occasion  for  offering  every  possible  i»i- 
sult  to  religion,  actually  mutilating  a  cross  amid  ribald  songs 
and  jeers. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Le  Mercier,  sent  by  Bishop  Carroll  to  revive 
the  labors  of  the  pioneer  priest,  recovered  some  of  the  vest- 
ments, but  badly  injured  by  rats  and  mice,  so  little  care  had 
been  taken  to  preserve  them.  He  at  once  proceeded  to  the 
grave  of   Rer.    Mr.   Le  ^loine,  and    performed  the  burial 

service.' 

About  this  time  crnsiderable  tracts  of  land  were  offered 
for  the  establishment  of  Catholic  churches  and  maintenance 
of  ])riest8  in  Georgia,  but  Bishop  Carroll  was  unable  to  obtain 
olert^vmen  from  Ireland  who  would  have  been  able  to  draw 
Catliolic  settlers  to  that  State.' 

In  1803  the  Abbe  Anthony  Carles,  driven  from  Santo 
Domingo  by  the  troubles  in  that  island,  ieajhed  Savannah. 
He  remitted  his  credeTitials  showing  that  he  had  been  a  duly 
api)ointed  parish  i)rlest,  and  VicarCxeneral  of  the  Prefect- 
Apostolic,  :^Igr.  Lecou.     He  at  cnce  began  to  officiate  for 


'  Rpv.  Mr  T.>  '  'trcier  to  Rishop  Carroll   Savannuh,  October  14,  1796. 
'  IJishoi)  t;iirroll  to  Arrhbishop  Troy,  May  25,  1796. 


ifiih 


464 


LIFE  GF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


the  Catholics  of  that  city  and  the  French  fugitives  from  tlie 
AVest  Indies.  Bishop  Carroll  gladly  appointed  him  to  the 
charge,  and  soon  after  requested  him  to  attend  Augusta  also, 
a  mission  which  had  been  without  a  priest  since  its  abandon- 
ment by  Rev.  Mr.  Browne.  He  continued  to  minister  to  the 
Catholics  of  Georgia  for  some  time  ;  for  though  he  made  a 
visit  to  Frr.nce,  he  returned  to  Savannah  in  18('7.' 

In  the  country  northwest  of  the  Ohio,  the  position  of  the 
little  body  of  French  Catholics  was  greatly  injured  by  the 
results  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Virginia  legislation  w;is 
hostile  to  their  land  tenures  ;  the  United  States  government 
extended  but  feeble  support.  The  English,  under  pretext 
that  the  Kei)ublic  had  failed  to  carry  out  certain  provisions 
of  the  treaty  in  regaiil  to  the  payment  of  debts  contracted 
before  the  war,  retained  jwssession  of  Ogdensburg  and  Nia- 
gara, Sandusky,  Detroit,  Michilimackinac,  and  much  territory 
around  the  military  posts  at  those  points,  and  even  erected 
another  fort  on  the  Maumee.  From  these  posts  they  con- 
trolled the  Indian  trade  and  supplied  the  savage  tribes  with 
arms  and  anununition,  if  they  did  not  openly  encourage 
them  in  hostilities  against  the  Americans.  The  French  set- 
tlers at  Detroit  and  Itaisin  River  were  com])letely  under 
English  control.  Those  on  the  Wabiish  and  in  Illinois  were 
surrountk'd  by  hostile  Indians.  In  the  advance  of  .\merican 
settlements  these  French  were  viewed  with  great  suspicion 
l)y  the  frontiersmen  and  our  government  took  no  steps  to 
j)rotect  them.  On  the  contrary,  military  expeditions  treated 
the  C^atholic  settlers  at  the  West  as  thougli  they  were  hostile 
Indians.     This  was  especially  the  case  in  the  wanton  destrnc- 


'  llt'V.  Picot  (Ic  Clorivii^rc  to  Bishop  Carroll,  Dciciiilicr  fl,  lH();t ;  Hcv. 
Anthony  ('arlcs  io  Hishop  Carroll,  F»ibruary  3,  1804,  February  7  uud 
OcU)btr  \2,  1H07. 


m 


NORTHWEST  TERRITORY. 


405 


tion  of  the  village  of  Ouiatenoii  by  the  forces  under  General 
Scott  in  1791.' 

By  the  time  that  Wayne's  victory  humbled  the  Indian* 
and  Jay's  trea*v  delivered  the  Western  posts  from  English 
tenure,  the  old-tii.ie  Catholics  of  the  West  were  reduced  to 
wretchedness  and  misery. 

As  churches  sprang  up  in  Western  Pennsylvania  and  Ken- 
tucky, the  old  French  poets  in  the  West  were  no  longer  iso- 
lated. They  came  in  direct  intercourse  with  the  Atlantic, 
and  were  gradually  coalescing  with  the  Catholic  body  of  the 
United  States. 

They  had,  as  we  have  seen,  been  in  a  manner  left  to  them- 
selves by  the  Bisho[)  of  Quebec,  who  feared  to  give  oiienee 
to  the  new  Republic,  and  Kev.  Dr.  Carroll  had  found  that 
any  right  to  jurisdiction  by  him  in  that  district  was  doubtful 
till  a  decree  of  the  Propaganda  decided  definitely  the  extent 
of  his  diocese. 

The  Church  in  the  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio  was  in 
a  strange  j)osition.'  Dr.  Carroll,  on  receiving  his  appoint- 
ment as  Prefect- Apostolic,  supposed  his  jurisdiction  to  em- 
brace the  whole  of  the  Republic,  and  the  wandering  Carmel- 
ite Father  St.  Pierre,  who  recc/ni/ed  Mm  as  Superior,  made 


'  General  Scott  to  General  Henry  Knox,  ilarch  9, 1701     It  was  f  ^^ace 
of  seventy  houses,  many  well  tinislu'ii. 

'  Civil  affairs  were  in  similar  disorder.  The  Virginia  a  ian-itles  had 
virtually  abandoned  their  pret^ndid  powers,  and  there  wa>.  liftU,-  'iw  or 
order.  It  was  not  till  the  p.issage  of  "  An  Ordinance  for  thvVAeri- 
nieiit  of  the  Territory  of  the  United  States,  northwest  of  the  ri\ir  Ohio," 
hy  the  ("ontinental  Congress,  July  13,  1787,  that  order  was  restored. 
Tins  act  especially  reserved  "  to  the  French  and  Canadian  inhabitants, 
and  iither  settlers  of  the  Kaskaskies,  St.  Vincent's,  and  the  noi^rhborins? 
villaires,  who  have  heretofore  professed  themselves  citizens  of  Viririnia, 
their  laws  and  customs  now  in  force  amonj:  them,  relative  to  the  descent 
and  conveyance  of  property."  Carey,  '•American  Museum,"  ii.,  p.  88. 
20* 


f,l  '^       i' 


'•;^- 


466 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


his  way  from  Kentucky  to  Illiiioiri  ;  and  Dr.  Carroll  went  the 
Kev.  I't'ter  lliiot  de  la  Vuliniere  to  those  parts  with  powers 
of  Vicar-General. 

He  then  ascertained  that  Rev.  Peter  Gibault  was  in  the 
Illinois  country  claiming  to  be  Vicar-tJeneral  of  the  Bishoj) 
of  Quebec.  Michigan  and  the  country  on  the  laketi  was  held 
by  England,  notwithstanding  the  treaty  of  peace,  and  the 
Bishop  of  Quebec  had  his  ])riests  at  Detroit  and  iu  time  at 
Raisin  River  and  the  Mauniee.  When  Dr.  Carroll  compre- 
hended the  actual  situation,  he  wrote  to  Mgr.  Hubert,  who. 
after  his  labors  in  the  West,  had,  as  we  shall  see,  ascended 
the  episcopal  throne  of  Laval. 

'*  MoNSEIONElK  : 

*'  The  necessity  in  which  I  find  myself  of  asking  from 
your  Lordship  some  light  on  a  rather  delicate  matter  affords 
nie  at  the  siinie  time  the  honor  of  expressing  to  you  the  high 
veneration  which  I  feel  for  your  character  and  your  episoopul 
virtues. 

"  Encouraged  by  the  favorable  attestations  with  whith  ^Ir. 
Huet  de  la  N'aliniere  was  furnished  by  his  Ecclesiastical  ISu- 
|)eriors  in  Canada,  I  very  rea(lily  accepted  his  olfer  to  pnteeed 
to  the  Illinois  and  I  appttinted  him  my  Vicar-Cteneral  there. 
Since  his  departure  1  have  received  letters,  written  from 
Post  8t.  Vincent,  by  another  priest  named  (libeau,  and  who 
informs  nje  that  he  himself  has  l)een  Vicar-tieneral  <.f  tlie 
Bishops  of  QuelHH*  for  nineteen  years. 

'•This  is  a  point,  w\  r^ord,  on  which  I  nee<l  information, 
and  as  to  which  I  venture  to  ask  some  light  from  your  Lonl- 
shij),  especially  as  rei»orts  have  reached  me  in  regard  to  Mr. 
GilK'au,  very  unfavorable  as  to  his  conduct. 

"  I  learne<l  .-ome  time  since  that  your  l^ordship  was  dis- 
pleased at  my  interference  with  the  ecclesiastical  government 


f# 


NORTHWEST  TERRITORY. 


467 


of  the  Illinois.  I  did  so  because  I  believed  it  incliided  ia 
my  jurisdiction,  and  because  I  had  no  idea  that  your  Lord- 
ship extended  your  pastoral  care  to  tliose  parts.  No  ambi- 
tious motive  impelled  me,  and  if  your  T  xlship  intends  to 
provide  for  their  spiritual  wants,  it  wiii  deliver  me  frona 
a  very  {?reat  enibarras.sment,  and  relieye  my  conscience  of  a 
l)urthen,  that  is  extremely  heavy. 

*'  In  that  case,  my  only  anxiety  would  be,  that  the  United 
States  will  not,  perhaps,  permit  the  exercise  even  of  spiritual 
power  by  a  British  subject. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  the  most  respectful  devot- 
ed ness, 

"  Your  Lordship's  most  humble  and  obedient 
Servant, 

"  J.  Carroll, 
"  Ecclesiastical  Superior  in  the 
"Baltimore,  May  5,  1788.  United  States. 

"  P.  S. — Letters  sent  me  by  way  of  Xew  York  will  reach 
me  safely." 

The  Rishop  of  Quel)eo  had  already,  on  learninj]^  of  the 
pi-esence  of  Rev.  Messrs.  St.  Pierre  and  La  Valiniere  in  the 
Illinois  country,  written  to  the  Propagranda,  hut  in  view  of 
the  (litticulties  of  the  situation,  had  determined  not  to  inter- 
fere, so  long  as  tliey  did  nut  i)enetrato  any  further  into  his 
diocese,  or  compromise  him  by  their  acts.'     Bishop  Hubert, 


'  "  By  the  treaty  of  peaoe  in  1783,  th-  territory  sotitli  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence River  from  tlie  4r(th  dcirree  of  liiMtude  havins;  J)een  ceded  to  the 
Ansjlo-Aniericdns,  niid  tlie  Illinois  and  T.iinaroiH  iu'ini:  included  in  that 
(lart,  tlic  Hislmp  of  tjuciiec  has  sent  no  ncriiiancnt  missionary  tliere  since 
that  date.  It  is  even  to  he  i>resuincd  lliat  the  covenimenl  would  take  it 
amiss,  s.)  that  matU-rs  will  he  left  as  they  are  till  further  oniers. 

"  It  seems,  indeed,  that  Mr.  de  la  Valiniere  and  Mr.  de  St.  Pierre  have 


m 


3'A^SS^0^A  £»»•,  St  .^i? 


!ti^^l3^* 


468 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


[im''"'~f^ 


professing  his  iuuMlity  to  (liHtiu'inber  his  diuoese,  continuod 
this  policy  and  eontirined  all  l>r.  Carroll  wiw  tit  to  do.'  But 
Michigan  being  btill  under  the  liritisli  Hag,  he  regarded  as 
|)art  of  his  diocese.  He  addressed  a  pastoral  letter  to  his  old 
flock  at  Detr<  lit,  which  began  : 

"John  Francis  Hubert,  by  the  mercy  of  God,  and  the 
favor  of  the  Holy  Apostolic  See,  Bishop  of  (Quebec,  tfec,  etc., 
to  the  inhabitiints  of  the  two  parishes  of  Detroit,  known 
under  the  names  of  tin-  Assumption  and  St.  Anne,  Healtli 
and  Benediction.  The  hajjpy  and  peaceful  .sojourn  that  1 
made  among  you,  my  very  dear  brethren,  has  left  in  my  soul 
sentiments  of  attachment  and  atTi'<'tion  so  deeply  imprinted 
that  you  must  class  among  the  great  consolations  of  my  life, 
that  which  I  now  feel  in  transmitting  t(»  you,  a  ])ublic  and 
solemn  testimony  of  my  truly  pastoral  love. 

"As  yt»n  are  aware,  very  dear  Hrethren,  the  interests  and 
sjilvation  of  your  souls,  the  desire  to  induce  you  to  tread  the 
paths  of  justice,  the  hope  of  preserving  in  your  hearts  the 
ma.xims  of  our  holy  religio!i  which  other  missionaries  had 
taught  you,  these  were  the  only  motives  which  led  me  to 
vou  in  17S1.  If  I)ivin»'  j'rovidence  c(»mpelled  me  to  leave 
with  tearful  eyes  a  belosvi!  iusd  in  which  I  hoped  to  end  my 
days,  it  has  not  eff:ue  i  *ro'n  my  memory  the  frecpient  iii- 
etnictions  which  I  giive  ;;  -ri  nor  the  pleasure  with  which  you 
8eeme<l  to  hear  them." 


been  deputed  t<i  the  Illinois*  emintry  Ity  the  I'ri'fcct-.Vpostdlic  of  New 
England.  I  dn  not  know  tlie  extent  of  their  |)<>vv(ts,  as  to  which  they 
make  no  reiM)rt  to  nie  ;  hut  on  tlie  whoU',  I  am  not  disposed  to  interfere 
with  them,  w)  lonj;  iw  they  do  not  advaiiee  any  further  into  my  dioersi', 
leaving  myself  free  to  diwivow  lliem,  if  they  eotninit  any  fault,  with 
whieh  I  am  n  proaehed."  Bishop  llulnrt  to  Hev.  Sir.  Devilkis  at  I'aris, 
OctolKT  ITi,  17H7. 

'  Bis'hop  Hubert  to  Dr.  t  arroll.  October  0,  1788. 


Ill  r 


GIBAULT  AT  VINCENNES. 


4eo 


W 


Ho  concliules  by  urj^ing  thetr  to  rem  in  faithful  to  the 

Kin}:C  "^  Kiiglaii(h' 

The  Kov.  I'i'ter  Gibault  ui  still  the  jh  ,tht  for  all  tho 
country  from  thi'  '^Vabu.sh  to  the  .tiissisHipi'i.  uiid  even  i-ntsricd 
to  attend  St.  (tenevievo,  thuuf^h  the  Capuchin  Father  Ber- 
nard, when  appointed  to  St.  Louib  issiuaed  charge  also  of 
<  ahokia. 

The  lliinoifl  country  was  in  a  wretched  condition,  the  Vir- 
ginia authorities  had  viflidrawn,  and  there  wa.s  neither  (i  - 
f<  ice  aj^aiuf^t  attack  ikh-  civil  government.' 

About  the  couiinencenient  of  the  year  1785  the  Rev.  ^Ir. 
(iibault  took  up  bin  residence  at  Vincennes,  which  for  sonip 
time  previously  hail  l)een  visited  only  from  time  to  time. 
"1  have  sufficient       nfidence  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to 
have  ii  '>ert  of  banislun;,'  barbarism  soon  from  Vincennes, 
.M       ,0  inhabitants,  especially  the  young  people,  have  had 
11.     ligious  principles  f.        '•'  last  23  years,  except  when  I 
pu.«    d  there  on  my  brie     ..  -sions.  as  Kev.  ISIr.  Payet  did. 
I'll.  •  grow  up  like  the  Indians  amid  whom  they  lived.     I 
trave  them  and  still  give  them  catechetical  instructions  twice 
a  day.  after  mass,  and  in  the  evening  before  sunset.     After 
each  instructions  I  send  the  girls  home,  and  make  the  boys 
repeat  the  responses  of  the  mass  and  the  ceremonies  of  the 
church  for  Sundays  and  holidays.     I  preach  on  these  days  as 
often  as  1  can."     ■'  When  I  arrived  here  I  found  no  one  big 


■:|, 


'  Pastoral  lt'lt«'r  of  Flishop  HiilK«rt  to  the  inhubitmits  of  i'nndwich  and 
Detroit.  November  2,  1789.  Archives  of  tlie  Arehtjishopric  of  QucIhc. 
"  Muiulfineiils,  etc.,  des  EvOques  de  Q(iel)ec,"  Quebec,  lsy7-8,  ii.,  p. 
m-i.  Kven  in  171M,  :  a  letter  to  (.'ardinal  An"ii)elli,  Bishop  Hubert 
spoke  of  Detroit  as  iM-ionuMuu'  to  his  diocese  (Lii  to  the  Proiv^anda. 
Queber,  October  •2.".,  1791)-,  anil  it  wa-sii-t  till  the  surrender  ■  the  eity 
by  the  Knj;lish  in  179(i  that  it  came  practically  under  the  <■  of  Right 
Hev.  Dr.  Carroll. 

*  Rev.  F.  Gibault  to  Hishop  of  Quelwe,  St.  d  ueviove,  April  1. 1T83. 


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Iff 


470 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


rl^ 


or  little  to  serve  mass  except  an  old  man  born  in  Europe, 
who  could  not  always  come  and  then  no  mass.  Two  months 
after  I  had  several,  and  now  the  smallest  boys  in  the  village 
not  only  are  able  to  serve  mass,  but  know  the  ceremonies  for 
Sundays  and  holidays,  and  the  whole  catechism,  both  the 
larger  and  smaller.  I  should  be  well  enough  pleased  with 
the  people,  were  it  not  for  the  wretched  liquor  trade  which 
I  cannot  eradicate,  and  which  compels  me  to  refuse  the  sacni- 
ments  to  several,  for  the  Indians  commit  horrible  disorders 
when  in  liquor." 

"  I  should  not  have  succeeded  in  building  a  church  at  this 
post,  had  not  the  people  at  Cahokia  sent  a  messenger  in  the 
name  of  the  whole  parish,  to  beg  me  to- take  charge  of  them, 
oflfering  me  very  advantageous  terms.  The  people  at  Post 
Vincennes  having  good  grounds  to  fear  that  I  might  leave 
them,  unanimously  resolved  to  build  a  church,  ninety  feet 
long  by  forty-two  broad,  on  a  foundation  and  of  boards. 
Part  of  the  wood  is  already  got  out,  and  several  fathoms  of 
stone  for  the  foundation.  The  upright  posts  will  be  only 
seventeen  feet  high,  but  the  winds  are  so  violent  in  these 
parts,  that  even  this  is  rather  high  for  strength.  The  house 
which  is  now  used  as  a  church  will  serve  as  a  priest's  house, 
and  I  think  I  can  occupy  it  a  few  months  hence.  The  lot  is 
a  large  dry  one  in  the  middle  of  the  village,  which  I  myself, 
with  the  marguillers,  obtained  sixteen  years  ago.  I  beg  you 
to  approve  this  erection  of  a  new  church  under  the  title  of 
St.  Francis  Xavier  on  the  Wabash,  and  to  enjoin  me  to  pro- 
ceed to  complete  it,  and  also  to  adorn  it  as  well  as  the  poverty 
of  the  |)eople  will  permit."  ' 

To  charges  that  had  been  made  against  his  character,  he 
replied  with  honest  indignation :  "  To  all  the  pains  and  hard- 

'  Letter  to  Bishop  of  Quebec,  June  6, 1786. 


I 


OIBAULT  AT  VINCENNES. 


471 


Bhips  that  I  have  undergone  in  my  different  journeys  to  most 
distant  points,  winter  and  summer,  attending  so  many  villages 
in  Illinois  distant  from  each  other,  in  all  weathers,  night  and 
day,  snow  or  rain,  wind,  storm  or  fog  on  the  Mississippi,  so 
that  I  never  slept  four  nights  in  a  year  in  my  own  bed, 
uever  hesitating  to  start  at  a  moment's  notice,  whether  sick 
or  well<  how  can  a  priest  who  sacrifices  himself  in  this  way, 
with  no  other  view  than  God's  glory,  and  the  salvation  of 
his  neighbor,  with  no  pecuniary  reward,  almost  always  ill- 
fed,  unable  to  attend  to  both  spiritual  and  temporal,  how  I 
say,  can  you  know  such  a  priest  zealous  to  fulfil  the  duties 
of  his  holy  ministry,  careful  to  watch  over  his  flock,  instruct 
them  in  the  most  important  tenets  of  religion,  instruct  the 
young  unceasingly  and  untiringly  not  only  in  Christian  doc- 
trine but  teaching  the  boys  to  read  and  write,  as  one  who 
gives  scandal,  and  is  addicted  to  intoxication  ? " 

Rev.  Mr,  Gibault  continued  his  labors  at  Vincennes,  and 
in  1788  narrowly  escaped  with  his  life,  his  missionary  jour- 
neys increasing  in  danger  as  the  Indians  became  more  and 
more  hostile.  Massacres  of  the  French  were  constant,  and 
on  one  occasion  t^-T  Sieur  Paul  Desmisseaux  was  killed  and 
Sieur  Bonvouloir  wounded,  so  near  the  courageous  priest 
that  he  was  all  covered  with  their  blood. 

In  view  of  the  state  of  affairs  and  his  reluctance  to  serve 
under  a  Spanish  or  an  American  bishop,  tlie  Canadian  priest 
earnestly  besought  the  Bishop  of  Quebec  to  recall  him.' 

A  Dominican  Father,  Le  Dru,  who  had  been  employed  in 
Canada,  was  sent  to  Illinois  by  Bishop  Carroll,  brt  he  soon 
removed  to  St.  Louis,"  and  appears  in  other  missions. 

Rev.  Mr.  Gibault's  last  visit  to  Vincennes  was  in  October, 


'  Rev.  P.  Gibault  to  Bishop  of  Quetec,  May  23, 1788. 

'  Rev.  F.  Le  Dru  to  Bishop  of  Quebec,  St.  Louis,  March  29, 1790. 


•i     I 


472 


i/Fii:  Oi?'  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


1789  ;  he  was  then  residing  at  Cahokia,  whence,  in  1790,  he 
forwarded  to  Governor  St.  Clair  a  petition  for  a  grant  of 
part  of  the  Seminary-  Land  at  Cahokia,  in  compensation  for 
losses  sustained  by  him.     This  was  granted,  although  tlio 
United  States  govennnent  had  no  title  whatever  to  the  land.' 
Bishop  Carroll,  on  learning  of  this,  entered  his  protest 
with  the  Government  of  the  United  States  against  this  at- 
tempt to  alienate  church  proi>erty  to  an  individual  clergyman. 
Apparently  in  consequence,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault  left  the 
diocese  of  Baltimore  and  retired  to  the  Spanish  territory 
beyond  the  Mississippi.     He  finally  settled  at  New  Madrid, 
where  he  died  early  in  1804." 

^ye  have  seen  that  the  Very  Rev.  Mr.  Hubert  had  been 
sent  to  the  West  as  Vicar-General,  and  liad  appointed  Rev. 
Mr.  Payet  to  succeed  the  venei-able  Recollect  Father  Bocquet 
at  Detroit. 

While  the  Very  Rev.  Mr.  Hubert  was  still  at  that  city,  in 
the  summer  of  1784  Rev.  Mr.  Payet  proceeded  to  Vineennes, 
which  had  for  some  time  been  without  a  priest,  and  in  July 


cJ^^^^  -;^> 


*t-^>'^<_ 


rAc-sran.E  of  signature  of  rev.  mr.  payet. 

he  baptized  under  condition,  with  the  prescribed  ceremonies, 
many  children  baptized  privately  by  Phillibert,  the  guardian 
of  the  church,  who  kept  a  register  with  a  regularity  that 
deserves  praise.     Rev.  Mr.  Payet  remained  there  till  Sep- 


'  Rev.  H.  Alenlinp,  "  A  Flistory  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  Diocese 
of  Vineennes,"  IndianapollH,  1883,  pp.  64-8. 
•  Rev.  Gabriel  Richard  to  Bishop  Carroll,  Detroit,  May  1, 1804. 


DETROIT. 


478 


tember.'     During  the  clergyman's  absence  from  Detroit, 
the  Very  Rev.  Mr.  Hubert  discharged  tlie  parochial  func- 
tions, but  though  out  on  a  remote  frontier  post,  his  merit 
and  abihty  led  to  his  nomination  November  30,  178-t,  as 
coadjutor  to  the  Bishop  of  Quebec.     Writing  to  Bishop 
Briand,  September  26,  1784,  he  announces  the  completion 
of  the  new  parochial  residence  and  the  plan  of  rebuild- 
ing the  church ;  but  he  deplores  the  neglect  of  religion, 
which  he  ascribes  mainly  to  the  profanation  of  the  Lord's 
day.     His  last  entry  in  the  Detroit  Regieter  is  a  baptism 
October  31,  1784."     He  retui-ned   soon   after  to  Quebec, 
and  by  a  bull  of  Pope  Pius  VI.,  June  14, 1785,  was  made 
Bishop  of  Almyra  and  coadjutor  of  Queb'^c.     On  the  19th 
of  November,  in  the  next  year,  he  was  consecrated  by  Right 
Rev.  John  Oliver  Briand,  and  became  Bishop  of  Quebec, 
June  4,  1788.' 

Rev.  Mr.  Payet  remained  as  parish  priest  at  Detroit  till 
June  22,  1780.  He  had  pushed  i-u  the  erection  of  the 
church,  and  in  February  he  announced  that  the  sacristy  was 
up,  but  not  yet  under  cover,  and  that  the  contract  for  the 
sashes  in  the  church  and  for  ceiling  the  sanctuary  had  been 
given  out.  "  Providence,"  he  wrote,  "  is  my  only  hope,  for 
I  have  fears  as  to  the  habitans  with  whom  money  becomes 
scarcer  and  scarcer,  for  it  is  hard  to  sel"  wheat  at  these 
'  pontes,'  and  the  rest  in  proportion.  Be  that  as  it  may,  we 
sliall  do  our  best  without  losing  courUp^e."  ' 

He  was  ser^t  by  Vicar-General  Hubert  to  Cahokia  and 


r-, 


r^. 


>  I 


'  His  last  entry  is  July  24,  1786.    Register  of  Vincennes ;  Grave  to 
Villars,  Oct.  19, 1786  ;  Archives  de  Quebec. 
■^  Letter  in  Archives  at  Quebec. 

'  His  first  entry  as  cure  is  July  8, 1786  ;  his  last  July  C,  1796. 
♦  Letter  February  20, 1786  ;  Letter  of  Grave  to  Willem. 


474 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Kaekaskia,  but  as  he  sufEered  from  a  pain  in  the  chest,  he 
announced  his  resignation,  and  soHcited  a  position  in  Canada. 
On  his  departure  the  Rev.  P.  Frechette,  parish  priest  at  the 
Assumption,  now  Sandwich,  took  charge  of  St.  Anne's 
church,  Detroit,  and  remained  there  as  i)arish  priest  for  sev- 
eral years.' 

Meanwhile  a  number  of  the  French  Catholics  had  settled 
on  Kaisin  IJiver,  and  a  cemetery  was  laid  off  at  an  early 
period.  AVHien,  however,  the  Bishop  of  Quebec  placed  this 
mission  under  the  charge  of  Kev.  Mr.  Frechette,  the  settlers 
assembled  to  adopt  measures  for  erecting  a  church. 

While  the  Quebec  clergy  were  thus  endeavoring  to  keep 
religion  alive  in  the  West,  Rev.  Mr.  LaValiniere  labored  at 
Kaskaskia  from  April,  1785,  and  ministered  diligently  to 
the  people  there  and  at  other  accessible  points.  The  paro.\ 
cliial  residence  at  Cahokia  had  been  ruined  by  the  British 
and  Amcricaji  troops,  but  the  people  erected  a  new  one  at  a 
cost  of  five  thousjind  livres.  Here  Mr,  de  St.  Pierre  took  up 
his  residence,  and  in  April,  1786,  reported  that  the  faithful 
had  begun  to  erect,  in  ])laee  of  the  old  wooden  church  which 
had  fallen,  a  new  church,  which  was  to  cost  fifteen  or  sixteen 
thousjind  livres,  although  they  used  all  the  material  of  the 
old  priest's  house.  Tlie  marguiilers  proposed  to  sell  part  of 
the  property  of  the  Quebec  Seminary  once  more  to  provide 
a  fund  for  the  support  of  a  priest.' 

About  the  year  1791  the  Rev.  Edmund  Burke,  an  Irisli 
priest,  who  was  acting  as  professor  in  the  Seminary  of  Que- 
l)ec.  saw  with  regret  that  no  steps  had  been  taken  to  revive 
the  missions  in  the  western  country,  which  the  hostility  of 
the  house  of  Bourbon  to  the  Society  of  Jesus  and  its  final 

'  His  flnit  entry  as  cure  is  July  8,  1786 ;  his  'ast  July  6. 1796. 
'  Letter  of  the  MiirK'uillers  of  Cahokiii,  June  6, 1787  ;  Canlinal  Tasche 
reau,  "  Notes  on  the  Seminary  of  Quebec."  Letter  .\pril  22,  1787. 


REV.  EDMUND  BURKE. 


475 


suppression  had  annihilated.  By  the  aid  of  Archbishop 
Troy  of  DubHn,  he  called  the  attention  of  the  Sacred  Con- 
gregation de  Propaganda  Fide  to  the  wretched  condition  of 
the  country  on  the  great  lakes.'  A  decree  of  the  Propa- 
ganda was  apparently  given  to  favor  a  revival  of  the  for- 
mer Indian  missions,  Bishop  Hubert  having  notified  the 
Sacred  Congregation  of  the  fact  that  the  country  on  the 
Mississippi  was  now  siibject  to  the  Bishops  of  Baltimore  and 
Louisiana.' 

The  British  authorities,  in  their  wise  folly,  had  at  first 
made  it  a  positive  point  that  the  Jesuit  Fathers  were  not  to 
continue  the  Indian  missions.    They  had  now  learned  by 
experience  that  Catholic  missionary  priests  among  the  tribes 
exercised  the  most  beneficial  influence  on  the  Indians  them- 
selves, and  helped  greatly  to  attach  them  to  government.    The 
Rev.  Mr.  Burke  was  favorably  known,  and  with  the  concur- 
rence, if  not  the  recommendation,  of  the  English  Governor, 
he  was  selected  by  Bishop  Hubert  to  proceed  to  the  "West 
and  carry  out  the  views  of  the  Propaganda.     Writing  to 
Archbishop  Troy  of  Dublin,  September  14,  1794,  Rev.  Mr. 
Burke  says :  ''  I  must  request  jour  Grace  will  please  to  let 
Cardinal  Antonelli  know  that  a  most  favorable  occasion  of 
sending  a  missionary  to  the  npper  Country  has  happened, 


'  Rev.  Edmund  Burke  to  Most  Rev.  John  Troy,  December  31,  1790. 
"  You  must  admit,  my  Lord,  thtit  teaching  the  catechism  is  a  more  ra- 
tional employment  for  a  priest  tlian  giving  lectures  on  Astronomy. "  "I 
would  most  willingly  return  to  the  ministry.  There  is  a  vast  extent  of 
country  north  of  the  lakes,  l)eginning  at  Lake  Ontario  and  running  west- 
ward to  Lake  Minitti  and  thence  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  possessed  or 
claimed  by  England,  in  which  tlio'  there  are  a  great  number  of  posts  and 
several  Indian  villages  whose  inhabitants  are  Catholics,  there  is  not,  nor 
has  there  been,  a  single  missionary  since  the  conquest  of  this  province." 
There  was  some  exaggeration,  but  the  real  condition  was  bad  enough. 
See  Letter  of  Bishop  of  Quebec  to  Cardinal  Antonelli,  October  25, 1791. 

■'  Bishop  Hubert  to  Cardinal  Antonelli,  October  25, 1791. 


■  t  "r  I 


WMh 


''1- 


v. 


POnTIiAIT  OF   BT.    HKV.   EDMtTXD   BURKE,    BlSnOP   OF   8ION,   AND  V.   A 

OF  NOVA  SCOTIA. 

(476) 


REV.  EDMUND  BURKE. 


477 


and  the  Bishop,  in  compliance  with  his  Eminence's  orders, 
lias  immediately  appointed  your  humble  servant.  Many  in 
the  diocese  would  have  tilled  the  place  with  greater  ad- 

vantage." 

Before  the  close  of  the  year  he  waa  officiating  at  Eaisin 
River,  which  he  had  been  specially  commissioned  to  attend. 
Here  he  dedicated  the  Church  of  St.  Anthony  of  Padua.' 
Meanwhile  Wayne's  victory  over  the  Miamis  had  caused  the 
Indians  to  waver  in  their  adherence  to  England.    The  Rev. 
Mr.  Burke  then  proceeded  to  Fort  Miami,  a  post  erected  by 
the  British  on  the  northwestern  bank  of  the  Maumee  River, 
near  the  present  site  of  Perrysburg.     His  house  was  on  the 
banks  of  the  river,  within  a  few  miles  of  the  fort.     Here  he 
began  to  fit  himself  to  direct  the  Ottawas,  Chippewas,  and 
Pottawatomies,  by  a  study  of  their  language,  the  English 
government,  which  maintained  the  missionary,  giving  liim 
the  distribution  of  provisions  to  those  tribes.     His  ecclesias- 
tical position  he  thus  defines :  "  Pm  the  administrator  of 
Upper  Canada  with  every  episcopal  power  except  what  re- 
quires the  Episcopal  order,  yet  I  find  a  very  great  want  of 
power,  for  here  the  limits  of  jurisdiction  is  imcertain  and 
unsettled,  the  very  parish  in  which  I  live  may  be  a  subject 
of  dispute  between  the  Bishop  of  Quebec  and  Baltimore, 
tho'  it  be  distant  4  or  500  leagues  from  either ;  that  gives  me 
some  uneasiness,  as  I  know  no  jurisdiction  certain  but  that 
of  His  Holiness.     Besides  Confirmation  is  a  sacrament  ^^  .;re 
totally  unknown  in  a  country,  where  there  are  some  i'  '/.:- 
sands  of  Catholics."  '     He  even  urged  Archbishop  Troy  .o 
petition  the  Prefect  of  the  Propaganda  to  establish  a  mission 


>  Bishop  Hubert  to  Ciirdinal  Antonelli,  September  15.  1794 ;  Rt.  Rev. 
C.  P.  Maes,  "  Notes  on  the  Church  of  Monroe." 

>  Rev.  Edmund  Burke  to  Archbiahop  Troy,  Miamis,  February  2, 1795. 


I  'itj 


mm 


478 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


i 


-r;  J 


independent  of  the  Bishops  of  QucIm'c,  Baltimore,  and  Louis- 
iana. This  would  have  added  another  element  of  confusion  • 
but  England,  which  had  never  actually  claimed  the  territory 
she  held,  withdrew  her  military  occupantH,  and  Kev.  Mr. 
Burke  retired  with  tliem.  As  the  Propaganda  declined  to 
erect  an  independent  jurisdiction,'  the  Rev.  Mr.  Burke, 
though  he  received  certain  powers  from  Rome,  soon  after- 
ward withdrew  to  Detroit,  where  men,  who  had  end)rafed 
the  revolutionary  principles  of  France,  so  constantly  menaced 
his  life  that  he  had  to  be  defended  in  his  room  at  night  liy 
Indians  and  Canadians,  and  never  went  out  unarmed.  But 
he  devoted  himself  to  his  duties,  and  was  consoled  in  the 
Easter  of  1795  to  see  many  approach  the  lioly  table  who  had 
been  strangers  to  it  for  twenty  or  thirty  years." 

When  the  execution  of  Jay's  treaty  put  an  end  to  the  \ 
occupancy  of  Michigan  and  other  western   points,  which 
England   had  maintained   in  spite  of   the  treaty  of  1783, 
Bishop  Carroll  found  the  duty  of  providing  priests  for  that 


'  Cardinal  Antonelli  to  Bishop  IIii»)ert.  .luuimry  16,  179fi  ;  Bishop  Hu- 
bert to  V.  Rev.  E.  Burke,  October  18,  1796. 

'  Same  to  same,  Detroit,  May  20,  1705;  Dilhet,  "  Etnt  dc  I'Efflisc," 
etc.  lie  wrote  from  Quel)ec,  August  17, 1796,  exj)ecting  to  rttuni  to  tlie 
West.  He  wa«,  however,  stationed  at  Niagara  in  1797,  and  was  sent  to 
Halifax  in  1803,  being  the  first  Catholic  priest  iXTUianently  placed  there, 
building  a  church  and  glclK'-house.  He  wiw  an  able  theologian  and  con- 
troversialist, and  was  a  good  engineer.  In  1816  he  visited  Koine  to  lay 
before  the  Poih.'  the  condition  of  Religion  in  the  province.  He  was  soon 
after  appointed  Bishop  of  Sion  and  Vicar-Apostolic  of  Nova  Scotia,  re- 
ceiving episcopal  consecration  .Inly  5,  1818.  He  lived  to  commence  tlie 
work  of  organization,  and  died  December  1,  1820,  in  his  78th  year.  He 
was  Unn  in  Ireland,  came  to  Cunwla  May  16,  1787,  and  Ix-fore  going 
w«>st  had  l)een  cure  at  St  Pierre  and  St.  Laurent,  Isle  d'Orleans.  Camp- 
bell, "  History  of  Nova  Scotia,"  Montreal,  1873  ;  Tanguay,  "  Repertoire 
General,"  Queln'C,  1868,  p.  18  ;  Murdoek,  "  History  of  Nova  Scotia," 
iii..  p.  461 ;  Houck,  "  The  Church  in  Northern  Ohio,"  New  York,  1887, 
pp.  204-7  ;  Dillon,  "  History  of  Indiana."  Indianapolis.  1859,  p.  352. 


NORTHWEST  TERRITORY, 


470 


difltrict  added  to  hiB  already  weighty  cares.    He  wrote  to  the 
Birthop  of  Quebec  to  ask  leave  to  retain  the  ])rie8tH  wlio  liad 
for  some  years  been    in  charge  at  Detroit,  liaisin  Itiver, 
Mackinac,  and  Niagara ;  but  Bishop  Hubert  needed  priests 
too  badly  to  be  able  to  spare  any  for  parishes  or  niissions 
adjudged  not  to  belong  to  liis  diocese.     He  reluctantly  so 
informed  Bishop  Carroll,  who  then  appealed  to  the  Sulpi- 
tians  to  supply  him  clergymen  for  those  Western  Catholics 
of  their  race  whom  he  could  not  otherwise  provide  with 
priests.     "  I  feel  keenly,"  he  wrote  to  Bishop  Hubert,  "  the 
loss  which  these  parishes  will  sustain  in  being  deprived  of 
the  zealous  and  experienced  pastors  you  have  given  them, 
and  whom  they  will  need  more  than  ever  in  view  of  the 
efforts  which  will  be  made  to  corrupt  their  morals  and  their 
principles  of  faith.     It  was  this  that  made  me  desire  so  ar- 
dently, that  their  present  pastors  should  continue  to  discharge 
towards  them  tlie  functions  you  have  coutided  to  them.     My 
conscience  would  be  relieved  of  an  anxiety,  the  prospects  of 
which  alarm  me.     I  do  not  think  that  any  difficulty  will  be 
raised  by  the  government  of  the  United  States,  unless  in  the 
case  of  Kev.  Mr.  Burke,  whom  ill-intentioned  people  and 
especially  an  apostate  Dominican,  named  Le  Dru,  have  suc- 
ceeded in  imbuing  some  of  the  officers  of  the  American 
troops  posted  near  Fort  Detroit,  with  prejudice  against  that 
priest,  as  one  who  endeavored  to  foment  and  excite  in  the 
heart  of  the  Indians,  great  animosity  and  vengeance  against 
these  States.'     I  will  do  my  best  to  remove  this  prejudice, 
and  I  shall  readily  profit  by  your  Lonlship's  permission  to 


•  Tlie  Hon.  .Tiimcs  McIIenry  wrote  to  Bishop  Carroll :  "  Tt  appears  that 
when  Geneml  Wayne  wiw  using  his  endeavors  to  induce  the  Indians  tc 
como  in  and  treat,  his  inflvience  was  exerted  to  prevent  them  from  attend 
ing."    Letter,  June  12, 1796. 


'i 


''I 


480 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


f 


■5 


associate  him  to  my  diocese  and  employ  bis  talents  and 
miniHtry."  ' 

Tiie  Htranj^  confusion  caused  by  the  English  occupation 
of  Michigan  may  Ikj  seen  in  the  fact  that  the  Very  Rev.  Mr. 
Burke,  on  withdrawing  fn>m  Detroit,  wrote  to  Bishop  Car- 
roll to  urge  him  to  send  two  priests,  and  he  offered  to  -j^ive 
faculties  to  them,  as  though  Bishop  Carroll  had  not  power  to 
give  faculties  in  bin  own  diocese. 

We  have  seen  the  effort  made  through  the  Archbishop  of 
Dublin  to  create  a  jurisdiction  independent  of  QucImjc,  Balti- 
more, and  Louisiana.  It  was  not  the  only  project  of  the 
kind.     Another  was  actually  carried  out  at  Rome. 

The  Congregation  de  Propaganda  Fide,  at  the  very  mo- 
ment when  the  diocese  of  Baltimore  bad  t)een  erected  with 
limits  coterminous  with  those  of  the  United  States,  was  led 
into  steps  which  threatened  to  increase  confusion  in  the 
West,  where  order  was  most  rcijuirod. 

Misled  by  the  vast  jjromises  of  Joel  Barlow  and  a  num- 
\ycT  of  speculators,  who  got  up  the  Scioto  Company  to 
found  a  colony  on  the  banks  of  the  river  of  that  name,  the 
Propaganda  actually  createtl  a  Prefecturc-Ajxwtolic  of  a  set- 
tlement that  did  not  exist,  and  in  which  the  Company  which 
projected  it  did  not  own  a  foot  of  land.  Numbers  of  noble- 
men and  others  were  induced  to  take  shares  in  the  Company, 
which  mav  have  intcndetl  to  i)urchase  lands.  The  a>isoci- 
ates  induced  hundreds  of  jKxtpIe  to  emigrate  from  France, 
the  tirht  of  whom  reached  Alexandria  in  the  "  Patriot,"  May 


'  Bishop  Carroll  to  Bishop  Huliert,  Miirch  2,  May  2,  1796 ;  Dilhet. 
"  Etat  (li-  I'Enliw."  .Vboul  the  time  of  Bishop  C'arroU'H  <'oii8«'mtioii  the 
Frt-nch  in  the  We«l,  exclusive  of  Detroit  and  it«  dependencies,  wtre  esti- 
mated at  a  little  over  2,()00  souls;  Vincennes,  l.tKM);  Kaskaskia,  815; 
Cahokia,  Sft."} ;  (Jrand  Ruisseau,  St.  Philip,  and  Prairie  du  Kocher,  240. 
Carey,  "American  Museum,"  ix.,  p.  8. 


DOM.  DIDISRy   PREFECT-APOSTOLIC. 


481 


3,  and  "  Lilxjrty,"  May  0,  1790.'  The  iiiiinigrunts  soon 
fouiul  how  Kudly  they  had  l)eon  deceived,  and  only  a  few  liad 
courage  or  nieaiiH  to  attempt  to  reach  the  Oliio.  Tlieso 
foutuk'd  a  Hcttlenient  at  Gallipolis  ou  hind  where  General 
KufuK  I'utnani  placed  thuiu.' 

For  the  great  intended  settlement  in  Ohio,  Dom.  Didier,  a 
Benedictine  monk,  and  procurator  of  the  Ahhey  of  St.  Denis, 
who  ha<l  acconn)anied  one  of  the  emigrant  partien,  waH  ap- 
pointetl  8u[>erior,  with  ample  facultieri  for  Kcven  yi  us,  which, 
liowever,  it  was  stilted,  he  would  have  no  right  to  exercise, 
except  in  subordinatioti  to  the  Hishop  of  I'altimore,  "if  the 
contemplatecJ  colony  be  located  in  that  diocese."  ' 

Dom.  Didier  was  a  man  of  varied  talents,  and  had  the  colo- 
nists followed  his  advice  in  material  as  well  as  in  8j)iritual 
matters,  a  very  different  history  of  Gallipolis  would  appear 
in  American  aniuds.  But  the  immigrants  included  many 
full  of  the  infidel  theories  of  the  thne,  who  imbued  the  rest 
with  prejudice  against  him  on  the  ground  that  he  was  a 
numk.  Dissensions  ensiied  ;  Indian  hostilities  arose,  and 
the  settlers  began  to  scatter.  After  exercising  the  ministry 
here  for  a  few  years,  and  producing  little  fruit,  Dom.  Didier 
went  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  was  highly  esteemed  and  labored 
to  the  close  of  his  life,  the  pioneer  Benedictine  in  this  country. 

Left  without  a  priest,  the  settlement  at  Gallipolis  soon  lost 
all  coherence  and  dwindled  away.  Keligion  gradually  faded 
out.     Children  were  no  longer  baptized  ;  they  did  not  even 


'  "  Virginia  Qazette."  Miiy  6, 1790. 

'  Volney,  "  Tableau  du  Climat  et  du  Sol  des  Etats  Unis  d'Amerique," 
Paris,  1803,  pp.  881,  etc.  The  Uniltul  States  government  wa.s  petitioned 
to  conflrin  lands  to  them.  American  State  Papera,  Public  Lands,  Wash- 
ington. 1884,  i.,  p.  29  ;  McMaster,  "  A  History  of  the  People  of  the  United 
States,"  New  York.  1885,  ii..  p.  148. 

<  Cardinal  Antonelli  to  Bishop  Carroll. 
21 


awaaBWuwwwiCW 


483 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


ask  Dr.  Carroll  to  send  them  a  pnest.  On  Sundays  instead 
of  prayer  and  Catholic  instructions,  meetings  were  held 
where  deism  and  infidelity  were  openly  advocated.'  Such 
was  the  end  of  the  Prefecture-Apostolic  of  the  Scioto. 

It  was  not  really  until  the  Sulpitians  arrived  in  the  United 
States,  that  Bishop  Carroll  was  able  to  give  this  western  por- 
tion  of  his  diocese  clergymen  who,  he  could  feel  assured, 
would  take  up  the  work  with  zeal  and  energy.  When  the 
Bishop  of  Baltimore  exposed  the  destitute  condition  of  the 
French  in  the  West  and  his  inability  to  give  them  clergy 
speaking  their  language  and  familiar  with  their  national  cus- 
toms, Sulpitian  priests  grown  hoary  in  philosophical  and  the- 
ological studic ,.  professors  and  directors,  ofiEered  to  become 
missionaries  and  act  as  parish  priests  on  our  remote  frontiers. 
To  all  human  calculation  they  were  men  unfitted  for  the 
work;  in  the  Providence  of  God  they  were  extraordinary 
instruments  of  good  among  the  American  pioneers  of  Ken- 
tucky and  among  the  French  of  the  Wabash,  Detroit,  and 
Illinois. 

With  the  retirement  of  Rev.  Peter  Gibault  from  Kaskas- 
kia  in  1791  and  of  the  Carmelite  Father  St.  Pierre,  1792,  Illi- 
nois was  left  ^  -ithout  a  priest  to  minister  at  the  altar. 

When  other  Sulpitians  arrived  in  1792  ready  to  enter  on 


'  Dilhet,  "  Etat  de  I'Eglise  Catholiquc  "  Summary  of  Bishop  CnrroU's 
Report,  August  18,  1792,  in  Propaganda  Archives.  Bishop  BrutC  stattd 
in  one  of  liis  notes  tliat  he  Icnew  a  Rev.  Mr.  Boisnantier  in  France,  who 
claimed  to  have  been  appointed  Bishop  of  8rioU>,  but  he  probably  exag- 
gerated the  nature  of  his  appointment.  In  official  records  there  is  no 
mention  of  a  bishop,  but  simply  of  a  prefect,  8ubje<t  to  Dr.  Carroll.  No 
trace  of  Boisnantier  apiiears  to  exist  in  the  Records  of  the  Propaganda,  al- 
though he  may  have  teen  proposed  even  prior  t*)  Dom.  Didicr.  Rev. 
8.  T.  Badin  in  1796,  described  Gallipolis  as  containing  only  alnuU  eighty 
men  who  had  neither  religion  nor  morals.  (Letter  to  Bishop  Carroll, 
June  28. 1790)    In  1805  they  had  dwindled  to  twenty.    (Dilhet.  "Etat.") 


SULPITIANS  IN  THE  WEST. 


483 


the  Western  missions,  Bishop  Carroll  sent  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Levadoux  to  Kaskaskla.'  He  officiated  at  the  old  French 
post  from  February,  1793,  to  May,  1795;  when  the  Rev. 
Gabriel  Richard  took  charge  till  the  arrival  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Janin,  and  after  his  departure  in  1796." 

Rev.  Mr.  Lusson,  whom  Bishop  Carroll  had  placed  at  Caho- 
kia,  in  1798,  abandoned  his  poor  parish,  with  a  scattered  flock 
at  Kaskaskia  and  Prairie  du  Rocher,  and  crossed  to  St.  Charles, 
on  the  Spanish  side  of  the  Mississippi.  At  this  time  the 
church  was  nearly  complete,  the  priest's  house  a  large  build- 
ing in  a  tolerable  condition,  with  a  good  well  and  stable,  his 
predecessor  having  effected  many  improvements.    The  trus- 

/ 

eiGNATCRES  OF  REV.    MEB8H8.   JANIN   AND  LEVADOUX. 

tees  appealed  to  Bishop  Carroll  once  more  for  a  priest,  and 
urgently  entreated  him  to  give  them  the  devoted  Mr.  Rivet.' 
In  February,  1799,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  John  and  Donatien 
Olivier  arrived  in  Illinois;  John  attended  Cahokia,  and  his 
brother,  Donatien,  Kaskaskia  and  Prairie  du  Rocher.  The 
people  received  them  with  great  joy  and  made  lavish  prom- 


'  Dilhet,  "  Etat  de  I'Eglisc."  i.,  p.  28 ;  ii.,  p.  106. 

'  Registre  de  I'lmmnculee  Conception,  Kaskaskia:  Mr.  Levadoux,  De- 
cember, 1702  ;  G.  Richard,  February,  1793,  to  May,  1795  ;  Janin,  August 
4,  1795,  to  March  27,  1796  ;  Ricliard.  1797. 

'  N.  Jarrot  and  others  to  Bishop  Carroll,  September  15,  1798. 


;?'    i 


484 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CAJtROLL. 


I 


V 

i\ 


I»    1 


I  nil 
f' 


ises  to  provide  for  their  maintenance ;  but  these  were  not 
carried  out.  The  new  pastors  found  that  the  people  had 
lost  much  of  their  former  zeal  and  piety;  vices  prevailed, 
and  the  women  were  extravagant,  spending  much  on  dress, 
on  coflfee  and  sugar,  expensive  luxuries  in  those  parts.' 

The  Catholics  of  Vincennes  had  early  in  1792  appealed  to 
the  Bishop  for  a  priest,  and  on  the  5th  of  June  he  wrote  an- 
nouncing that  the  Rev.  Benedict  Joseph  Flaget  was  about  to 
proceed  to  their  ancient  post,  the  difficulty  of  travelling  dur- 
ing the  dangerous  period  of  the  Indian  war,  having  delayed 
him.  "With  his  zeal,  his  piety  and  his  manners  full  of 
sweetness  and  charity,  I  am  assured  that  he  will  win  all 
hearts  to  Christ,  and  that  he  will  confirm  in  you  all  the  priu- 


wi^^^^i^A^ 


\ 


FACSIMILE  OF  SIGNATURE  OF  REV.    DONATIEN  OLIVIER. 

ciple«  of  our  holy  religion.  I  recommend  him  earnestly  to 
you ;  I  am  convinced  that  by  your  docility,  and  fidelity  in 
fulfilling  your  duties,  you  will  lighten  the  weight  of  his  min- 
istry', and  even  render  their  discharge  consoling  and  gratify- 
ing to  him."  * 

The  future  Bishop  of  Bardstown  set  out  from  Baltimore 
in  a  wagon  for  Pittsburgh  in  May,  1792,  having  reached 
Baltimore  at  the  close  of  March.  lie  bore  a  letter  of  intro- 
duction from  Bishop  Carroll  to  General  Wayne,  then  gather- 
ing at  Pittsburgh  the  army  which  was  to  retrieve  the  disaster 
of  St.  Clair.     At  that  jwint  the  good  priest  found  four  sol- 

'  Wcs.  Mr.  Olivier  to  Bishop  Ctirroll,  April  22.  1799 ;  Donatien  Olivier's 
first  entry  at  "oskaskia  was  April  19, 1799.  Dilliet,  "  Etat  de  I'Eglise," 
ii..  p.  12.5. 

'  Bishop  Carroll  to  the  Catholics  of  Vincennes,  June  5,  1792. 


VINCENNES. 


485 


were  not 
ople  had 
)revailed, 
on  dress, 
ts.' 

pealed  to 
wrote  an- 

about  to 
lling  dur- 
?  delayed 
8  full  of 

will  all 
the  priu- 


\ 


IB. 


■nestly  to 
idelity  in 

■  his  min- 
i  gratify- 

^altimore 

■  reached 
of  intro- 
m  gather- 
e  disaster 

four  sol- 

en  Olivier 'a 
e  I'Eglise," 

i. 


diers  under  bentence  of  death.  Three  were  Catholics,  and 
he  prepared  two  for  death ;  the  third,  a  countryman  of  his 
own,  obdurate  in  sin,  refused  his  ministry  ;  but  the  fourth,  a 
Protestant,  was  received  into  the  Church  and  prepared  for  his 
approaching  end.  Taking  a  flat-boat  he  reached  Louisville, 
where  he  met  Rev.  Mr.  Levadoux  and  Rev.  Gabriel  Richard. 
From  this  point  Gen.  George  Rogers  Clark,  to  whom  Rev. 
Mr.  Flaget  bore  a  letter  from  General  "Wayne,  accompained 
him  to  Vincennes. 

On  the  2l6t  of  December  the  old  French  post  so  long  de- 
prived of  a  priest  received  its  new  pastor.  "  He  found  the 
church  in  a  sadly  dilapidated  state.  It  was  a  very  poor  log 
building,  open  to  the  weather,  neglected  and  almost  totter- 
ing.' The  altar  was  a  temporary  structure  of  boards  badly 
put  together.  He  immediately  set  to  work  to  repair  the 
church,  and  especially  to  refit  and  decorate  to  the  best  of  his 
power  the  wretched  altar  for  the  coming  festival. 

"  The  congregation  was,  if  possible,  in  a  still  more  miser- 
able condition  than  the  church.  Out  of  nearly  seven  hun- 
dred souls  of  whom  it  was  composed,  the  missionary  was 
able  with  all  his  zealous  efforts  to  induce  only  twelve  to  ap- 
proach the  holy  communion  during  the  Christinas  festivities. 
His  heart  was  filled  with  anguish  at  the  spiritual  desolation 
which  brooded  over  the  place." 

He  began  his  ministry  with  charity  and  zeal ;  the  people 
were  weak  rather  than  obstinate  in  sin.  The  instructions  and 
exhortations  of  the  good  priest  soon  revived  religion  in  their 


'  The  ancient  grant  of  the  church-plot  was  for  160  arpents.  "  Ameri- 
can State  Papers  —  Public  Lands,"  Washington,  1834,  ii.,  p.  456. 
Twenty-five  years  later  the  church  was  described  as  "  sixty -eight  feet 
long  by  twenty-two  wide,  and  nine  feet  from  the  ground  to  the  eaves. 
It  had  a  kind  of  steeple  eight  feet  high  with  a  small  bell. "  David  Thomas, 
"Travels  through  the  Western  Country,"  Auburn,  1819,  p.  195. 


"  HI 


!P}Ut| 


486 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


i>  I 


liearts.  He  won  the  hearts  of  the  children,  and  his  school  was 
soon  thriving ;  pious  ai'd  promising  boys  eagerly  learned  to 
serve  mass.  The  parenij  came  back  to  their  duties,  and  when 
the  small-pox  soon  after  broke  out  in  the  town  and  decimated 
the  flock,  they  blessed  God  who  had  recalled  them  to  duty 
and  enabled  them  to  die  as  cliildren  of  the  Church.  Rev, 
Mr.  Flagct  was  the  temporal  as  well  as  spiritual  guide;  he 
stimulated  the  people  to  industry,  opened  a  manual-labor 
school,  induced  better  cultivation  of  the  land  by  proper  im- 
plements and  appliances,  and  obtained  looms. 

lie  extended  his  ministry  to  the  neighboring  ^lianii  Indi- 
ans, who  were  also  stricken  by  small-pox,  and  he  baptized 
many  ou  their  death-beds. 

Amid  all  these  labors  he  was  himself  prostrated  by  dis- 
ease in  October,  1793.  but  recovering,  continued  his  good 
work  till  he  was  recalled  by  his  Superior  to  Baltimore,  to 
the  great  regret  of  Bisho])  Carroll.  At  his  departure  he 
gave  for  the  use  of  his  successors  a  well-selected  library  oi 
recent  editions.  Rev.  Mr.  Flaget  left  Yincennes  toward  the 
close  of  April,  1795,  and  reached  Baltimore  by  way  of  New 
Orleans.'  During  his  residence  at  Vinccnnes  he  lodged  with 
Colonel  Vigo,  who  had  done  so  much  for  the  American  cause 
during  the  Revolution. 

Rev.  Mr.  Levadoux  and  apparently  Rev.  Mr.  Janiu  visited 
Vinceimes  for  a  time,  till  the  arrival  of  Rev.  John  JVancis 
Rivet,  a  priest  and  professor  from  the  diocese  of  Limoges, 
who  was  sent  by  Bishop  Carroll  in  I'iW.  The  Bishop  of 
Baltimore  had,  in  1792,  addressed  President  Washington  in 
regard  to  missions  among  the  Indians,  but  at  that  time  he 


'  SpalditiR.  "  Sketches  of  the  Life,  Time,  and  Chararter  of  tlie  Ricrht 
Rev.  Benedict  .loneph  Flaget."  LouiHville,  iaV2,  pp.  2D-36,  4r)-fi ;  Des- 
jfcorfje,  "Monseigneur  Flaget,  Evequc  de  Bardstowu  et  Louisville," 
Paris.  1855,  pp.  9-U. 


BEV.  JOHN  F.  RIVET. 


487 


replied  that  it  was  not  within  the  province  of  government. 
The  influence  exerted  by  the  British  seems,  however,  to 
have  modified  the  views  of  statesmen.     After  the  Indian 
war  proved  so  disastrous,  General  Washington  recommended 
to  Congress  the  adoption  of  such  beneficial  policy  toward  the 
Indians,  as  would  tend  toward  their  civilization  and  teach 
them  the  advantages  of  the  Christian   religion.      Several 
Catholic  clergymen  then  offered  their  services,  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Kivet  was  accepted,  with  a  yearly  allowance  of  about  $200. 
Bishop  Carroll  says  of  him  :  "  He  visits  the  neighboring  In- 
dians and  applies  himself  incessantly  in  fulfilling  the  objects 
of  his  appointment,  and  disposing  them  to  maintain  a  friend- 
ly temper  toward  the  United  States.     He  is  indefatigable  in 
instnicting  them  in  the  principles  of  Christianity,  and  not 
without  success,  which,  however,  would  be  much  greater  if 
■  the  traders  could  be  restrained  from  spoiling  the  fruits  of 
bis  labors  by  the  introduction  and  sale  of  spirituous  liquors. 
'  In  the  discharge  of  his  useful  occupations,  Mr.  Rivet  has  un- 
dergone much  distress.     The  Indians  afford  nothing  for  his 
subsistence ;  on  the  contrary,  he  is  often  obliged  to  share  the 
little  he  possesses  with  them,  or  lose  influence  over  them. 
This  and  tlie  non-payment  of  his  annuity  for  more  than  two- 
and-twenty  months  have  reduced  him  to  the  greatest  dis- 
tress." ' 

From  December,  1798,  he  acted  as  Vicar-General,  and 
frequently  visited  the  Irish  soldiers  at  Fort  Knox  on  the 
"Wabash,  three  miles  above  Yincennes  ;  as  several  were  mar- 
ried, the  good  priest  baptized  and  instructed  their  children, 
and  when  a  dangerous  disease  broke  out  at  the  fort,  he  was 
unremitting  in  his  attention  to  the  sick. 


•  Bishop  Carroll  to  Samuel  Dexter,  Secretary  of  War,  Washington, 
September  15,  1800. 


'l^    ' 


-■# 


lift 

'1     i 


11  ». 


i 
i 


{ 


m 


488 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


The  infidel  Volney,  who  found  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rivet  at 
Vincennes,  which  he  describes  as  a  place  of  some  fifty  houses 
ill  an  irregular  prairie  surrounded  by  forests,  speaks  of  that 
missionary  as  polished,  learned,  high-bred,  and  tolerant,  and 
praises  his  efforts  for  the  education  of  his  fiock.'  Rev.  Mr. 
Rivct  died  in  the  winter  of  1803-4.  Rev.  Gabriel  Richard 
wrote :  "  A  loss  that  will  be  felt  long  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Yineennes,  a  loss  perhaps  irreparable,  the  worthy  and  ex- 
tremely zealous  Mr.  Rivet  is  dead  this  last  winter.  He  died 
as  he  had  lived,  excessively  poor  and  extremely  regretted  by 
his  parishioners." '  He  had  been  failing  for  some  time,  sink- 
ing under  pulmonary  disease,  but  he  kept  discharging  his 
duty  to  the  last.  His  last  baptism  was  recorded  January  31, 
1804.  Soon  after  finding  death  at  hand,  he  sent  to  Prairie 
du  Rocher  for  the  Rev.  Donatien  Olivier,  but  expired  in  the 
odor  of  sanctity,  three  days  before  he  arrived.* 

"When  the  English  finally  evacuated  Michigan  in  1796, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Frechette  was  recalled  by  the  Bishop  of  Que- 
bec, and  it  became  necessary  for  Bishop  Carroll  to  provide 
priests  for  Detroit,  Raisin  River,  and  Mackinac.  He  accord- 
ingly directed  his  Yicar-General,  Rev.  Mr.  Levadoux,  to  take 
charge  of  the  church  at  Detroit,  the  most  important  of  the 
French  settlements  in  the  Northwest.  In  1797  Rev.  Mr. 
Levadoux  induced  his  parishioners  to  revive  the  regulations 
for  the  parish  established  in  other  days  by  the  Bishops  of 
Quebec ;  he  obtained  land  for  a  new  cemetery,  repaired  the 
priest's  house,  and  regulated  the  payment  of  tithes. 


'  Volney,  "  Tableau  du  Climat  et  du  Sol  des  Etata  Unis,"  Paris,  1803, 
p.  400. 

»  Rev.   Gabriel  Richard,   Detroit,   May  1,   1804;   Dilhet,   "Etut  de 
rEjfli8e,"ii.,  p.  125. 

■  Rev.  II.  Aleniinp,  "  A  History  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  Diocese 
of  Viucennes,"  ludianapuliH,  1888,  pp.  78-5. 


DETROIT. 


488 


Eev.  Gabriel  Richard  and  Rev,  John  Dilhet  were  sent  to 
aid  him,  the  latter  taking  up  his  residence  at  Raisin  River. 
When  Rev,  Mr,  Levadoux  was  recalled  in  1801  to  Baltimore 
and  then  to  France,  Rev.  Gabriel  Richard  became  parish 
priest  of  Detroit,  of  which  he  was  for  many  years  the  accom- 
plished spiritual  guide.  He  comnmted  the  payment  of  the 
tithes  into  a  subscription  of  $600,  and  executed  the  projected 


FAC-BIMILE  OF  8IQNATDRK  OP  BEV.  GABRIEL  RICHARD. 


repair  of  the  church  at  a  cost  of  1,500  livres.  He  employed 
a  chanter  who  was  also  to  train  the  altar  boys.  Rev.  Mr. 
Dilliet  joined  him  at  Detroit  hi  1804  and  opened  a  classical 
Bchool,  taking  charge  of  the  more  remote  missions. 

He  had  labored  earnestly  at  Raisin  River,  endeavoring  to 
excite  liis  ilock  to  replace  their  crumbling  church  by  a  suitable 
edifice,  but  though  meetings  were  held  and  promises  made, 
nothing  wui  done,  and  even  the  contributions  pledged  for 
his  support  were  not  paid.  His  parish  extended  from  San- 
dusky to  St.  Joseph's  River,  on  Lake  Michigan,  extending  as 
far  south  as  Fort  Wayne.' 


ta^lc^*^ 


SIGNATURE  OF  BlsnOP  DENAUT. 

Meanwhile  Detroit  enjoyed  the  presence  of  a  Bishop.  The 
Right  Rev.  Peter  Denant,  Bishop  of  Quebec,  making  a  visi- 
tation of  the  western  part  of  his  diocese,  and  acting  und^ 

•  Rt  Revrcrp7Mnesr"  History  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  Monroe 
City  and  County.  Mich.."  in  "U.  S.  Cath.  Hist.  Mag.."  ii.,  p.  113. 
21* 


!      1 


m 


3-1 


490  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

powers  from  Dr.  Carroll,  crossed  the  frontier  where  neces- 
sary to  administer  confirmation.    He  came  to  Detroit  in  1800 


I'OUTKAIT  OF   HKV.  UAUUIKL  KKIIAUU,  KBOM  A  CONTEMPORANBODB 

FaXNT. 

and  conferred  the  sacrament  on  all  who  had  been  prepared 
to  receive  it  at  Detroit,  Raisin  Kiver,'  and  other  points. 

The  ancient  mission  of  Michiliniackinac  was  also  an  object 
of  care.     The  Very  Rev.  Mr.  I.«vadoHX  spent  several  weeks 
there  in  the  summer  of  179fi ;  the  Rev.  Gabriel  Richard  fol- 
'  lie  w(w  at  Raisin  River  .Iiine  18,  1801. 


PRAYERS  FOR  THE  POPE. 


401 


Lw^ 


lowed,  arriving  there  June  3,  1799,  and  set  to  work  with 
his  usual  energy  to  put  tlie  churcli  and  priest's  house  in  re- 
pair, and  make  the  cemetery  wortliy  of  the  name.  He  ex- 
tended his  labors  to  Sault  Ste.  Mane  and  Arbre  Croche,  but 
was  recalled  to  Detroit.  He  was  followed  by  Kev.  Mr.  Dil- 
het,  who  instructed  the  people  for  several  weeks,  baptizing, 
marrying,  and  confessing.  The  number  who  approached  the 
sacraments  showed  the  effects  of  his  zeal.  He  appointed 
new  trustees  to  keep  all  things  in  order,  and  being  recalled  to 
Ualtimore  soon  after,  took  an  earnest  appeal  from  the  people 
for  a  resident  priest.' 

As  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  continued  to  suffer  at  the  hands 
of  France,  Bishop  Carroll  in  1798  ordered  every  priest  to 


/ 


SIGNATURE  OF  REV.    JOITN  DH-HET. 


sfa/y^ 


pray  in  an  especial  manner  for  the  venerable  Pope,  Pius  VI., 
during  six  successive  months. 

When  the  arrogant  conduct  of  France  made  war  almost 
inevitable.  President  Adams  appointed  the  9th  of  May,  1798, 
as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  to  avert  from  the  country  the 
miseries  of  war.  The  day  was  generally  observed  in  the  Cath- 
oHc  churches,  and  two  sermons  then  delivered  were  printed." 

While  Bishop  Carroll  was  consoled  by  this  revival  of  the 
faith  in  the  West,  he  saw  Catholicity  gaining  in  Virginia, 


'  Dilhet,  "  Etat  de  I'Eplisc."  il.  pp.  10!S-121. 

«  "  A  Discourse  delivered  at  the  Roman  Catholic  Clnircli  in  Boston,  on 
the  9th  of  May,  1798,  a  day  recommended  by  the  President  for  humilia- 
tion and  prayer  throughout  the  United  States.  By  the  Reverend  John 
Thayer,  Catholic  Missioner."  Boston,  1798.  "A  Sermon  preached  on 
the  ninth  day  of  May,  1798,  observed  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  to 
implore  the  divine  aid  and  protection  in  favor  of  the  United  States.    By 


..li  J 

■■Vv\ 


492 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


11 


t  » 


thoiigli  its  progress  was  hampered  by  difflculties.  "Rev, 
John  Du  Hois  l)egan  the  iiUHsion  at  Richnioiui  in  1 75)1,  and 
officiated  in  a  room  in  the  Capitol,  which  served  alno  for 
Episcopalians  and  Presbyterians,  but  after  he  removed  to 
Maryland,  the  Catholics  enjoyed  only  rare  visits  from  priests ; 
and  no  effort  was  made  to  rear  a  church  or  chajwl. 

In  June,  1811,  Rev.  Mr.  Miguel,  who  had  been  a  canon  of 
Toulouse,  but  had  joined  the  Fathers  of  the  Faith  under 
Father  Rozaven,  where  he  was  known  as  Father  Xavier, 
arrived  at  Raltiinore,  and  being  well  known  to  Rev.  Mr. 
Nagot,  whose  pupil  he  had  been,  was  accepted  by  Archbishop 
Carroll  and  sent  to  Richmond.  lie  attended  the  Catholics 
there  for  some  time  in  private  houses  or  in  rooms  temporarily 
rented  for  the  j)urpo8e.' 

The  Rev.  James  Michael  Rushe  had  l)cgun  the  erection 
of  a  church  at  Norfolk,  but  there  were  trustees  there  who 
claimed  all  control.  When  the  Very  Rev.  Ix!onard  Nealo 
was  sent  to  that  place  in  1790,  he  was  disquieted  by  the 
scenes  he  witnessed  at  aji  election  of  trustees  and  their  oppo- 
sition to  their  pastor.  He  urged  them  earnestly  to  lay  aside 
all  such  feelings  and  to  unite  heartily  in  completing  the 
church  which  they  lijid  begun.' 

The  Ilev.  Michael  I^ey,  who  was  at  Norfolk  in  180.3, 
found  a  flock  of  less  than  forty  families,  a  <lebt  on  tlie 


the  Reverend  8.  P.  O'aallagher,  Catholic  Priest  of  Cliarleston. "  Charles- 
ton [1798], 

'  Hon.  E.  M.  Keiley,  "  Memoranda  of  the  History  of  the  Catholic 
Church,  Hichmond,  Va.,"  in  Procee«linip(  4th  Ann.  Conv.  of  C  R.  U.  of 
Va..  Norfolk.  1874  Hev.  X.  Mijrnr-l  left  Ri(-hniond  alMiut  1818,  and  in 
May  of  the  following  year  retiirneti  to  Europe  lo  proceed  to  the  misjiioim 
in  China.     Kiithop  Brute. 

'  Very  Rev.  L.  Neale  to  Messru.  Plume  and  others,  June  2.'5,  1799; 
Wm.  Charles  Lee  and  others  to  Bishop  ("arroll,  De<:en»ber  1,  1801  ;  Rev. 
J.  M.  BuBbe  to  same,  November  2(5,  1801. 


NORFOLK. 


498 


church  of  $600,  the  fence  around  the  church  and  graveyard 
already  falling  to  decay,  no  rewideiice  for  a  clergymen,  the 
adultH  indillerent  to  their  ChriHtian  duties,  ho  that  he  could 
effect  good  mainly  by  catechizing  the  children. 

Ho  viBited  lialtimore  and  obtained  from  generous  Catho- 
lics there  and  elsewhere  means  to  improve  the  church,  which 
he  directed  zealously  till  his  death  in  1815. 

Alexandria  had  a  log  structure  near  the  corner  of  Princess 
and  Itoyal  Streets,  which  was  the  Catholic  chapel  and  resi- 
dence of  a  priest,  according  to  what  is  regarded  as  a  well- 
founded  tradition  ;  but  the  name  of  the  clergyman  and  the 
time  of  his  ministration  are  unknown. 

Hearing  from  Colonel  Fitzgerald  that  a  gentleman  of  Al- 
exandria would  grant  a  lot  of  ground  to  the  Catholics  suf- 
iicient  for  the  building  of  a  house  of  worship,  provided  a 
proper  application  was  made,  Bishop  Carroll  addressed  a  let- 
ter, sjiying:  "  In  this  state  of  the  business  after  expressing  as 
far  as'l  am  able  my  utmost  gratitude  for  so  favorable  a  dispo- 
sition, I  take  the  liberty  of  recpiesting  that  kindness  in  behalf 
of  the  Society,  whose  welfare  is  conunitted  to  my  care.    Their 
and  my  best  acknowledgements  will  testify  our  grateful  sense 
of  so  distinguished  a  favor,  and  we  shall  deem  it  our  duty,  in 
return  to  promote  by  our  best  endeavors  the  increase  and 
prosperity  of  a  t..wn  which  has  so  close  a  connexion  with  the 
interests  of  our  generous  benefactor." 

Tlie  letter  of  Bishop  Carroll  induced  the  gentleman  to 
give  the  Catholic  congregation  a  half-acre  lot ;  and  when  the 
Bishop  gave  contirniation  there  on  Sunday,  July  3,  1T9H,  the 
Catholics  were  burning  brick  and  laying  the  foundation  of  the 
new  church.'     On  it  Kev.  P>ancis  Neale,  who  attended  Alex- 


.  Rev.  Michael  Lacy  to  Rp.  Carroll.  Aupust  24,  1803.    Bishop  Carroll 
,„ .  Alexundria,  July  11,  1793.    Same  to  Rev.  J.  Thayer. 


July  5,  1796. 


:i' 


I 

! 


J' 


,  r.vt 


I 


UFB  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


•  '■  -.1 


%ddvkl  ffWn  Georgetown  roctetl  n  scjuare  brick  hiiildiin;,  the 
«ite  being  in  the  northwi'et  nrner  of  the  prewnit  cemetery. 
ThiM  church  wan  used  for  s.  ...  '  vcnn*,  imt  whh  never  com- 
pleted, ano  vas  Knally  al)andonc<i  a-  too  remote  from  tiiecity 
and  the  lionie«  of  the  (  Mfliolics.  ThJH  church  wan  npparcntly 
under  the  direction  of  Wt*-  Mr.  Neale  and  attended  generally 
from  (Georgetown,  llev.  Mr.  Eden  l)eeanie  resident  pantor 
ahont  lH(t4,  and  Kev.  Mr.  (iouHy  is  mentioned  as  in  charge  of 
the  Catholicn  of  Alexandria  in  ISOS.  About  four  or  five  vears 
after  that  date,  Kev.  Mr.  Neale  pureluu^ed  for  $*.)()(»  a  Meth- 
odist meeting-hojise  on  Chajwl  Alley,  the  money  being  raised 
by  subscription.  Here,  chietly  by  the  ])iou8  be<iuest  of  Mr. 
Ignace  .lunigal.  a  church  and  tower  were  erected.' 

As  we  liave  seen,  the  Itev.  Mr.  TImyer  was  at  Alexandria 
in  1794,  l)ut  did  n<»t  remain.' 

In  1798  Hishop  Carroll  extended  his  visitation  to  Lan- 
caster, Pennsylvania,  and  also  to  Elizal)ethtown,  twenty -five 
miles  distant,  where  Father  Fanner  had  founded  in  1752  the 
mission  of  St.  Peter.  The  Catholics  here  soon  reared  a  log 
church  on  the  farm  l)elonging  to  Henry  Echenroth.  In  this 
the  faithful  worshipped  till  Ik-v.  I^uis  de  Harth  took  charge 
of  the  mission.  The  congregation  had  increased  by  this  time 
to  al)out  two  liundre<l  s^)U^s,  and  in  171UJ  Rev.  Mr.  de  Barth 
secured  a  site  for  a  churcli  within  the  town  limits.  He  then 
undertook  to  collect  funds  to  erect  tlie  sacred  edifice.  The 
visit  of  the  liisliop  reanimated  the  faithful  and  they  pro- 
ceeded energetically  with  the  work.  On  the  loth  of  July 
Bishop  Carroll  conferred  the  sacraments  of  baptism  and  con- 
firmation at  St.  Peter's.     John  Egle,  one  of  those  confirmetl 

'  Cnma,  "A  Bripf  Bketz-h  of  8t.  Mary's  Church.  Alf>  tuiJrin,  Vs.."  in 
Proceedings  4th  Ann.  Conv.  of  C  B.  U.  of  V»..  Norfolk,  l.r.} :  W.  L., 
xiv.,  p.  97. 

»  Bp.  Carroll  to  Rev.  J.  Thayer.  July  15,  1794. 


DEATH  OF   MASHINOTON. 


490 


that  day  hy  tlie  founder  of  the  Ainerioan  )iierarehy,  wuh  liorii 
in  178H,  mid  lived  to  our  dayw,  djirig  on  the  11th  of  October, 
18H1,  hirt  aj(ed  eyen  iHjhohliiii'  the  origiiiii'  diocese  divided  and 
Hubdivided,  till  the  hierarehy  aufrdiere*!  fonrn-cn  irchbiehops 
and  Hfty-tive  biHliope,  iind  holy  nians  was  wiid  throughout  the 
land  in  more  than  six  thousand  chuix  lies  and  chapels  by  as 
many  priests. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  new  ohurch  wa**  laid  May  30,  1709, 
and  though  in  time  it  proved  inadocpuite  to  the  wants  of  the 
Cat'aolic  body,  the  old  shrine  was  respcted,  and  an  addition 
made.' 

Bishop  Carroll  made  another  visit  to  Pennsylvania  in  the 
following  year,  as  he  wrote  from  Conewago  in  September. 

On  the  death  of  (General  WaHhingt<m  in  171)0,  the  Bishop 
issued  a  circular  to  his  clergy  in  regard  to  the  celebration  of 
the  22d  of  February  as  a  day  of  mourning,  giving  directions 
for  such  action  as  would  be  in  conformity  with  the  spirit  of 
the  Church,  while  attesting  to  the  country  the  sorrow  and 
regret  experienced  by  Catholics  at  the  great  national  loss. 
It  has  been  made  a  question  by  some  whether  Washington 
died  a  Catholic,  but  Hishop  ( 'arroU  certainly  had  no  suspicion 
that  such  was  the  case,  for  he  compares  him  to  "  the  young 
Emperor  Valentiniati,  who  was  deprived  of  life  before  his 
initiation  into  our  church."     His  own  discourse,  delivered  on 
the  occasion  in  his  pro-cathedral,  was  regarded  by  all  who 
heard  it,  as  well  as  by  those  who  read  it  in  print,  as  one  of 
the  most  niasterly  uttered  on  that  day.     Robert  Walsh,  a 
scholar  of  fine  literary  taste,  says  of  it :  "  We  have  heard 


'  Lettprs  from  8.  M.  8onor,  Esq  ,  who  hi\s  also  kindly  furnished  a  copy 
of  (in  old  in.ture  of  the  olnirch.  The  HeRisUT  iH-Run  by  Hcv.  Mr.  de 
Barth  In  1795  Is  still  prfscrvcd.  The  addition  to  the  original  church  was 
made  by  Rev.  M.  Curran  in  1884. 


■I' 


496 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


from  some  of  the  most  intelligent  and  observant  of  his  audi- 
tors, when  he  delivered  his  masterly  funeral  panegyric  on 
Washington,  in  which  he  recited  the  terrors,  the  encourage- 
ments, the  distresses  and  the  glories  of  the  struggle  for  inde- 
pendence, tliui  he  appeared  to  be  laboring  under  intense 
eniotiuus  c(jrresj)uiulent  to  these  topics — to  be  swaved  like 
the  ancient  minstrel  uf  the  poet,  with  contagious  influences, 
by  the  varied  strains  which  he  uttered."  ' 


ST.  I'KTRR  s  rnrncn,  emzabethtown,  pa. 

The  esteem  and  regard  ontortained  by  Bif-hoji  Carroll  for 
Washington  are  shown  not  oidy  in  the  disoourj-e  delivered 
after  his  death,  but  appear  frerpiently  in  his  eorrespondence. 
Writing  to  Archbishop  Troy  in  1794,  he  alluded  to  the 


'  CMrculnr  of  Bishop  (  arrnll  fo  his  f 'Irrifv  on  the  Death  of  Washing- 
ton, Dt'ccnilHT  3i»,  1799.  "A  Dispoursc  on  (Jt'orirc  Washinirton  ;  dcliv- 
(Tcd  iu  tlie  Ciilliolir  Churrh  of  St.  JVtfr,  in  Hiiltiinore.  February  22, 
1800.  By  tlie  Uifrht  Kev  Bishop  Carroll."  Baltimore:  Printed  by 
Warner  &  lianna.  An  oration  delivered  at  Albany  on  t lie  ocrasion,  by 
Kev.  Dr.  Matthew  O'Brien,  is  reprinted  in  "  U.  8.  Catholic  ilist.  Mag.," 


w 


ESTIMATE  OF  WASHINGTON. 


497 


'  his  audi- 
e^yric  on 
sncourage- 
i  for  incie- 
3r  intenee 
'ayed  like 
nfluencee, 


^arroll  for 

delivered 

pondence. 

?d  to  the 


machinations  of  French  revolutionary  agents  in  the  United 
States,  and  said  :  "  To  oppose  the  mischief  meditated  by,  and 
fomented  through  the  machinations  of  these  societies,  we 
stand  in  need  of  the  firumess,  the  undaunted  courage,  the 
personal  influence  and  consummate  prudence  of  that  wouder- 
ful  man,  our  President  Washington.  It  is  impossible  for  a 
person  not  thoroughly  acquainted  with  our  situation,  to  know 
how  much  depends,  at  this  time,  on  one  man  for  the  happi- 
ness of  millions."  ' 

The  next  year  the  country  was  again  menaced  by  that  ter- 
rible scourge,  the  yellow  fever,  which  had  already  swept  so 
many  away.  Bishop  Carroll  looked  with  alarm  at  his  little 
band  of  clergy,  already  so  disproportioned  to  the  work  before 

them. 

Of  the  missions  in  New  Jersey,  at  this  time  mainly  at- 
tended from  Philadelphia  and  New  York,  we  find  few  indi- 
cations. The  mission  at  Trenton  was  attended  in  October, 
1799,  by  Rev.  D.  Boury,  who  in  1802  received  into  the 
church  Cornelius  Tiers,  a  native  of  New  York  State,  who  be- 
came a  firm  and  active  Catholic'  Bishop  Carroll,  as  we  shall 
hereafter  see,  was  called  to  Trenton  by  troubles  in  the  con- 
gregation there  in  1803.  About  this  time  Catholics  seem  to 
have  met  at  the  corner  of  Queen  and  Second  Streets.' 


'  Bishop  C'iirroll  to  Archbishop  Troy,  July  19,  1794. 

•  Woodstock  Letters,  ii.,  pp.  173-4. 

«  Raum,  "  History  of  the  City  of  Trenton,"  Trenton,  1871.  p.  134. 


■  .  I' 


t»  ,t 


.  f     i 


f  Wash  in  p- 
.'ton  ;  dcliv- 
I'hnmry  22. 
Printed  by 
>ccasion,  by 
list.  Mag.,"' 


f      ! 


iil^l 


III 


I.*; 


CHAPTER  II. 

BIGHT  REV.  JOHN  CARROLL,  BISHOP  OF  BALTIMORE — RIGHT  REV- 
LEON  A  KD   NEALE,  COADJUTOR,  1800-1806. 

Although  the  Rev.  Leonard  Neale  had  been  elected  by 
the  Holy  See  as  coadjutor  to  Bishop  Carroll,  the  bulls  dis- 
patched at  that  time,  and  subfieipiently  in  duplicate,  never 
reached  the  hands  of  Dr.  Carroll.  In  January,  1800,  they 
were  forwarded,  for  the  third  time,  from  Venice  by  Cardi- 
nal Stephen  Borjyia,  and  were  received  at  Baltimore  in  the 
summer. 

It  was  at  first  proposed  to  fi.x  the  feast  of  the  Nativity  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin  for  the  ceremony  of  consecration,  but  the 
yellow  fever  again  broke  ont,  and  the  clergy,  who  would 
liave  l>een  summoned  to  take  part  in  the  ceremonies,  were 
called  to  face  death  in  the  discharge  of  their  sacred  ministry. 
Bisho))  Carroll  viewed  with  alarm  the  danger  to  which  they 
were  t'Xj)osed.  In  a  pastoral  to  his  llock,  he  said  :  "It  is  not 
]K)ssibU'  for  religion  to  bear  in  its  present  state  in  our  coun- 
try a  continuation  of  such  heavy  losses.  The  number  of 
clergyjiien  is  so  retluced  that  many  numerous  congregations 
lire  deprived  of  all  spiritual  assistance."  If  his  zealous 
pric-Jts  were  cut  down  there  would  be  l)ut  few  to  minister  to 
those  subseciueutly  prostrated  by  the  disease.  He  therefore 
urged  on  all  Catholics  to  prepare  then»selves  for  death  by 
ai)proaching  the  sacraments  of  Penance  and  the  Holy  Eucha- 
rist ;  that,  as  the  diseiise  spread,  the  priest  might  be  free  to 
visit  those  who  in  health  were  unable  to  avail  themselves  of 
i4B8) 


CONSECRATION  OF  BP.  NEALE. 


499 


IGHT  REV. 


hie  ministry,  in  preference  to  those  who  had  neglected  the 
advantages  they  enjoyed. 

The  clergy  were  on  their  side  anxious  as  to  the  safety  of 
their  Bishop,  on  whose  life  the  succession  of  the  episcopate 
depended,  while  Dr.  Neale  remained  unconsecrated.  He 
was  ahsent  from  Baltimore  when  the  fever  broke  out,  and 
his  priests  urged  him  earnestly  not  to  return.  "  I  submit 
to  their  opinion,"  he  wrote,  "  though  I  suffer  perhaps  much 
greater  anxiety  by  my  absence,  than  I.  should  at  home.  We 
have  lost  already  since  1793,  the  first  epoch  of  that  dreadful 
disorder  in  Philadelphia,  eight  of  our  best  clergymen,"  ' 

When  cooler  weather  approached,  the  eve  of  the  feast  of 
the  Immaculate  Concej)tion  was  appointed  for  the  consecra- 
tion— the  first  time  the  sacred  rite  was  to  be  performed  in 
this  country.  On  the  day  fixed,  the  Rev.  Leonard  Neale  was 
consecrated  by  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll,  in  his  pro-cathe- 
dral, Bishop  of  Gortyna,  in  the  province  of  Caiidia,  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Charles  F.  Nagot,  Superior  of  the  Seminary  of  St.  Sul- 
pice,  and  the  Rev.  Francis  Beeston,  rector  of  St.  Peter's 
Cliurch,  acting  as  iissistants.  All  possible  pomp  was  given 
to  the  imposing  ceremony,  which  attracted  numbers  to  the 
sacred  edifice.' 


'  Bishop  Carroll  to  Rev.  Charles  Plowden,  Wasliiugtoii,  September  3, 
1800. 

'  The  rertiflcate  of  Hishop  Neale's  consecration  preserved  at  St.  Mary's 
Seminary,  Baltimore,  is  as  follows  : 

"  1H(K).  Die  7"  Decembris  anni  rei)amta?  salutis  1800  in  Kcdesia  Catho- 
lica  S'  Petri  ad  nrhem  Baltiniorensem  post  lecta  pnbliee  brevla  Ptmtiticia 
8'  Pontiticis  Pii  (5,  fel.  mcni.  (ivionim  uno  R  1)""  Leonurdus  Neale  in  hac 
Dia'cesi  Baltiniorensi  sacerdos,  ad  Episcopalem  Cathcdram  Gortynensem 
in  partibus  intidelium,  |)romotiis  fuit ;  et  in  altcro,  idem  R""  Leonardus 
Neale  constitutus  est  Coadjutor  Episcopi  Baltimorenais  cnm  jure  succes- 
sionis  in  ejusdem  Kniscopi  sedem,  ([Uani  primuin  htec  vacaverit,  solem- 
nit<'r  consecntionem  episcopalcm  aeccpit  idem  R.  1).  I.eonardus  Neale. 
Consecrauis  autem  est  a  me  inf  rascripto,  Episcopo  Baltiniorensi,  aasisten- 


i    \\ 


•  .11 


i-i.' 


fiOO 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Dr.  Neale  had  been,  for  more  than  a  year,  President  of 
Georgetown  College,  and  he  continued  to  fill  that  position 
for  some  time,  while  acting  as  Vicar-General  of  Bishop  Car- 


(  a  **^ 


i 


n'  ^^/ 


1 


yx.'t^yt^*^ 


8IGNATDBK  OF  RT.  RBV.  LEONARD   NEALE,  D.D.,  BISHOP  OF 
QOHTYNA.  AND  COADJUTOR  OF  BALTIMORE. 

roll,  visiting  many  congregations  in  Maryland  and  Virginia. 
He  also  devoted  himself  to  the  formation,  into  a  regular  re- 
ligious community,  of  the  Pious  Ladies,  under  Miss  Alice 
Lalor,  and  the  establishment  of  their  Academy. 

In  1801  the  Rev.  Father  Michael  Egan,  a  Reformed  Fran- 
ciscan of  the  Irish  Province,  who  had  been  prior  of  the  great 
convent  of  St.  Isidore,  in  Rome,  and  then  for  seven  years  on 
the  mission  in  Ireland,  was  invited  over  by  the  Lancaster 
c«)ngregation.  This  excellent  religious  soon  won  the  hearts 
of  ins  people  ;  but  devoid  of  ambition,  sought  only  to  serve 
as  assistant  to  Rev.  Mr.  de  liarth. 

In  1803  he  petitioned  for  the  erection  of  a  province  of  his 
order  in  the  United  States,  his  request  being  supported  by 
the  hearty  approval  of  Bishop  Carroll.  A  decree  to  that 
effect  was  actually  made  in  the  summer  of  1804  by  Arch- 
bishop Valentini,  Minister-General  of  the  Seraphic  order, 
and  by  the  Sovereign  Pontiff.  There  was  thus  a  well- 
grounded  hope  that  the  Reformed  Franciscans  would  create 


tibus  ex  Indulto  Pontiflcio  duobus  fwcerdotibus,  K"  Domino  Francisco 
H«>».ton,  Purocho  it  lU'ttore  Kccleaiu'  S'  •'ttri.  Hiiltiniori  et  H.  D"  C^arolo 
F.  Napot,  pripsidc  Scininurii  8'  Siilpitii  in  i-adcni  urbe. 
"  lu  quorum  tidem  hiuc  manu  nieu  sidwcripsi. 

■'  Hh  Joannes,  Epus  Bait""." 


B  IM&^^lftt^l^^i 


GEORGETOWN  COLLEGE. 


601 


a  body  to  labor  in  the  United  States,  as  they  had  done  in 
former  days  in  Canada,  Florida,  and  Maryland.  Unfortu- 
nately no  Fathers  of  the  order  came  to  join  Father  Egan, 
and  nothing  more  was  done.' 

After  the  suppression  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  the  Rev. 
Nicholas  Paccanari  founded  at  Rome  in  August,  1797,  "The 
Society  of  the  Faith  of  Jesus,"  intending  to  revive  the  rule 
and  spirit  of  Saint  Ignatius.  Pope  Pius  VI.  encouraged  his 
undertaking,  and  a  similar  association,  "  The  Society  of  the 
Sacred  Heart,"  founded  in  Germany,  united  with  his  insti- 
tute in  1799." 

Father  Paccanari  was  anxious  to  extend  his  congregation 
to  America,  and  wrote  to  Bishop  Carroll  on  the  point.     The 
Bishop  of  Baltimore  explained  to  him  the  position  of  the 
Church  in  the  United  States,  and  its  wants.     After  men- 
tioning the  establishment  of  Georgetown  College,  he  said : 
"  This  College  needs  professors  of  philosophy.     Therefore, 
if  one  or  two  can  be  sent  very  well  versed  in  philosophy,  and 
especially  in  natural  philosophy  and  mathematics,  and  not 
ignorant  of  English,  the  President  of  the  College  will  give 
them  a  hearty  welcome,  and  thus  perhaps  the  way  will  be 
opened  for  you  to  render  some  new  service  to  religion  here. 
The  President  of  the  College  will  arrange  with  Rev.  Father 
Strickland  in  regard  to  paying  the  travelling  expenses.     I 
have  already  said  that  I  wished  two  or  three  good  priests  to 
be  sent  as  soon  as  possible  into  this  vineyard  of  the  Lord, 
men  of  prudence,  religious  virtues,  and  of  the  best  disposi- 
tion.    There  are  many  Germans  among  us,  and  all  have  not 
pastors,  and  those  they  have  are  not  in  all  cixses  such  as  they 


"  Petition  of  F.  Mirhaol  Eirnn.  O.8.F.,  in  1803  :  Letters  to  Bishop  Car- 
roll from  Rome,  June  28.  September  29. 18'J4  ;  Kev.  M.  Egan  to  Bishop 
Carroll. 

»  Guidte.  "  Vie  du  R.  P.  Joseph  Varin."  Paria,  1854.  pp.  48,  etc. 


'  il 


4 


Lim 


m 


■  iM' 


502 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


should  be.     If  priests  of  the  nation  are  sent,  I  will  station 
them  among  their  own  countrymen,  so  that  while  they  are 
caring  for  their  salvation  they  may  also  learn  our  language, 
without  which  no  one  can  be  long  employed  here  usefully. 
As  to  the  female  religious  community,  there  are  three  women 
here  at  Georgetown,  where  the  College  is,  all  ready  and  filled 
with  great  desire  of  embracing  the  rule  of  the  Society  of  the 
Faith  of  Jesus;   one  of  these  is  a  virgin,  the  two  others, 
widows  of  middle  age.     They  have  long  lived  a  community 
life,  after  the  pattern  of  regular  observance,  earnestly  desir- 
ing, as  far  as  the  condition  of  their  sex  allows,  to  conform  to 
the  rule  of  St.  Ignatius.     They  conduct  a  school  for  girls, 
which  they  direct  with  remarkable  commendation  and  piety. 
Now  if  you  can  send  a  few  ladies  of  your  institute  of  suital)le 
age,  prudence,  and  experience  in  teaching  young  ladies,  who 
are  either  English  or  familiar  with  the  English  language  and 
customs,  they  can  with  those  Avhom  I  have  mentioned,  lay 
the  foundation  of  a  most  beneficial  convent  of  nuns."  ' 

About  the  same  time  Fathers  de  Broglie  and  Rozaven 
wrote  to  the  priests  in  Maryland,  who  had  belonged  to  the 
Society  of  Jesus,  inviting  them  to  enter  the  Society  of  the 
Faith  of  Jesus.  Several  met  and  sent  a  reply  expressive  of 
a  desire  to  take  the  step,  but  Bit^hop  Carroll,  who  was  ex- 
tremely cautious,  considered  their  action  unwise  and  precipi- 
tate, as  their  knowledge  of  the  new  organization  was  limited, 
and  their  old  associates  of  the  English  province  in  Europe 
had  held  aloof,' 

The  first  of  the  Fathers  of  the  Faith  who  reached  this 
country  was  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Zocchi,  who  was  sent  to  Can- 


'  Bishop  Carroll  to  F.  Nicholas  Paccaiiari,  Georpetown.  October  27, 
180(). 
»  Same  to  Rev.  Charles  Plowdon,  Baltimoro.  December  15, 1800. 


[iiOTtiliiiiiiitii 


THE  PIOUS  LADIES. 


503 


ada,  but  finding  that  the  EngHsh  government  would  not  per- 
mit him  to  remain,  came  to  Baltimore.' 

The  attempt  to  induce  the  Ladies  of  the  Sacred  Heart  to 
fend  over  a  colony  to  found  a  comumnity,  into  which  Miss 
Alice  Lalor  and  her  companions  might  be  received,  failed, 
and  the  "Pious  Ladies"  continued  their  good  work  at 
Georgetown  in  hope. 

Some  years  after  Bishop  Carroll,  hearing  that  the  Eev.  Dr. 
Betagh,  of  Dublin,  was  the  director  of  a  convent  of  religious 
women  in  Dublin,  wrote  to  that  gentleman,  who  had,  like 
himself,  been  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  till  its  sup- 
pression. 

"  My  coadjutor,"  he  wrote,  "  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Neale, 
has  formed  under  the  conduct  of  four  or  five  very  pious 
Ladies,  a  female  Academy  at  Georgetown,  and  has  acquired 
for  them  a  handsome  property  of  lots  and  houses.     These 
ladies,  long  trained  to  all  the  exercises  of  an  interior  and  re- 
ligious life,  are  exceedingly  anxious  to  bind  themselves  more 
closely  to  God  by  entering  into  an  approved  religious  order, 
whose  institute  embraces  the  education  of  young  persons  of 
their  own  sex,  poor  and  rich.     Mr.  Byrne  and  others  have 
given  information  here  of  your  having  under  your  care  a 
liouse  of  religious  women,  whose  useful  and  exemplary  con- 
duct has  gained  general  esteem  and  confidence.     Now  the 
prayer  of  Bishop  Neale  and,  I  may  add  mine,  too,  is  this : 
that  you  would  choose  and  if  possible,  engage  two  of  those 
Ladies,  fully  approved  by  you,  to  leave  their  country  and 
sisters  and  friends  to  establish  here  a  house  of  their  order. 
One  of  them  ought  to  be  fit  to  become  immediately  the 
superior  and  mistress  of  novices,  and  the  other  to  preside  in 
the  female  academy.     The  two  principal  ladies  of  this  insti- 


;.  -.s: 


>  Bishop  Carroll  to  Rev.  Charles  Plowdcn,  February  12, 1803. 


^'   jlO^I 


004 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


If' 


n 


tution  are  natives  of  Ireland,  and  both  women  of  exemplary 
and  even  perfect  lives.  I  know  not  whether  one  of  them, 
whose  name  is  Lawler,  be  not  known  to  you.  Bishop  Neale 
hopes  that  Mr.  Byrne  will  return  and  take  them  under  his 
care  ;  and  he  will  be  answerable  for  all  their  expenses."  ' 

This  project  also  failed.  Providence  guiding  the  little  com- 
munity to  adopt  the  rule  of  the  Visitation  Nuns,  founded  by 
Saint  Francis  de  Sales  and  Saint  Jane  Frances  de  Chantal. 

When  Spain  relinquished  to  the  United  States  Natchez 
and  the  district  which  she  had  captured  from  England,  and 
which  of  course  that  country  could  not  convey  to  the  United 
States  by  the  treaty  of  1783,  the  old  French  town,  which  had 
been  regarded  from  its  foundation  as  part  of  Louisiana,  was 
finally  severed  from  it  and  became  part  of  the  United  States. 
It  was  thenceforth  regarded  as  belonging  to  the  diocese  of 
Baltimore.  Property  at  Natchez  and  Villa  Gayoso  for  di- 
vine worship  had  been  purchased  by  the  Spanish  govern- 
ment and  was  held  as  a  trust  for  the  Catholic  Church,  but 
unfortunately  the  Spanish  officials  did  not  accjuire  a  perfect 
title  to  the  church  lands,  or  place  in  the  hands  of  the  Bishop 
of  Louisiana  such  documentary  evidence  as  would  have  re- 
moved all  doubt. 

Bishop  Penalver  of  the  Louisiana  diocese  had  kindly  of- 
fered to  continue  for  a  time  the  direction  of  the  Catholics  in 
those  parts,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lennan  visited  them  from 
Pointe  Couple.  In  1799  Bishop  Carroll  received  a  petition 
for  s  pnest  from  Colonel  Daniel  Clark,  Captain  William 
Voiisdan,  Willia.n  Scott,  Peter  Walker,  Brian  Bruin,  and 
Autcnio  Gras,  earnestly  soliciting  a  priest,  to  whom  they 
promised  a  salary  of  $8(»0.     Their  request  was  supported  by 


'  Bishop  Carroll  to  Rev.  Dr.  Betagh,  July  U,  1805 ;  Woodstock  Let- 
ters, x»..  p.  288. 


NATCHEZ. 


605 


General  Wilkinson,  and  Bishop  Carroll,  finding  that  the  Rev. 
Matthew  O'Brien  was  not  satisfied  at  Albany,  proposed  to 
him  to  accept  the  misbion  at  Natchez.' 

In  1801  the  Catholics  of  Natchez  again  solicited  a  priest, 
but  their  numbers  had  greatly  diminished  ;  some  had  died, 
others  had  removed  from  the  district,  so  that  there  were 
scarcely  ten  families  left  at  Natchez,  and  only  tv'o  in  easy 
circumstances.'  But  Col.  Vousdan  offered  a  home  and  board 
to  a  priest,  as  the  Catholics  there  did  not  wish  to  depend  on 
the  Louisiana  clergy.  He  wished  a  learned,  eloquent  clergy- 
man, and  ended  his  letter  by  proposing  to  allow  a  Protestant 
minister  to  officiate  in  the  church  ! ' 

The  Bishop  replied  :  "  You  are  desirous  of  allowing  the 
use  of  the  Catholic  church  to  a  Protestant  minister,  but  pru- 
dently withheld  your  consent  till  you  heard  from  me.     I  am 
against  the  concession.     As  far  as  civil  toleration  goes  and 
an  allowance  to  every  denomination  freely  to  pursue  their 
mode  of  worship,  no  one  has  a  fuller  persuasion  than  myself 
of  its  consonancy  with  the  laws  of  God.     But  as  one  only 
religion  is  from  him  those  things  that  are  immediately  con- 
secrated to  his  honor,  as  churches  and  the  implements  of  his 
worship,  are  not  to  be  diverted  to  other  contrary  uses,  and 
whenever  this  was  allowed  or  rather  suffered  by  good  Bish- 
ops,  it  was  either  a  sacrifice  to  necessity  or  as  a  means  to  pre- 
vent heavier  disasters  to  the  people  of  God.     Of  this  the 
history  of  tlie  great  Saint  Ambrose  furnishes  a  memorable 
example.     Catholic  churches  are  dedicated  to  God  for  the 


1  Bishop  Carroll  to  Rev.  M.  O'Brien,  September  28, 1799. 

»  Yet  in  1793  a  traveller  spoke  of  Natchez  as  a  place  of  400  houses. 
"A  Tour  through  the  Southern  and  Western  Territories  of  the  United 
suites  of  North  America,  the  Spanish  Dominions."  etc.,  Richmond,  1.92, 

p.  30. 
3  William  Vousdan  to  Bishop  Carroll,  May  34, 1801. 

22 


I'l 


M 


606 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


purpose  of  the  most  adorable  sacrifice  of  the  law  of  grace, 
and  many  august  prayers  and  ceremonies  consecrated  by 
their  antupiity,  are  used  for  their  sanctification.  After  this 
would  it  l)e  justifiable  to  make  an  altar  and  church  roHound 
with  doctrines  reviling  and  reprobating  that  holy  sacritico 
atid  all  the  rites  of  our  religion  \  Would  not  those  holy 
places  be  profaned  and  the  character  of  sanctity  accpiired  by 
their  consecration  ho  effaced  by  their  becoming  the  semina- 
ries of  error  and  false  doctrines  <  " 

He  then-fore  disapproved  absoluti  y  of  any  such  use  of  the 
church  at  Natchez,  which  is  described  as  very  large,  with  an 
altar  and  pulpit  far  apart.' 

Up  to  this  time  the  Catholics  had  remained  in  undistui])ed 
possession  of  the  two  churches  at  Natchez  and  Villa  Ua^i  so, 
and  though  the  title  had  passed  to  the  United  States  they  ('id 
not  consider  that  our  government  would  ignore  the  trust  or 
wrong  those  for  whom  it  was  held. 

A  law  of  Congress  required  all  land  claims  to  be  presented 
to  a  commissioner  before  the  hvst  day  of  March,  1804,  and  by 
a  subserpient  provision  this  term  was  extended  to  the  last  day 
of  November.' 

Meanwhile  a  former  owner  of  the  clv.trch  pro|>erty  at 
Natchez  presented  a  claim  for  the  projwrty,  which  was  rec- 
ognized by  the  United  States  government.  The  ('atholics  of 
Natchez,  to  save  their  church,  accordingly  found  it  necessary 
to  pay  $r)0(),  in  order  to  obtain  from  this  claimant  a  deed  for 
"  the  ground  on  which  the  Roman  Catholic  chaj)el  now  stands 
in  the  town  of  Natchez  aforesaid,  with  twenty  feet  on  the 
two  sides,  and  twenty  feet  behind.  Also  the  lot  in  said  town 
which  has  been  used  as  a  Roman  Catholic  burying  ground." 

'  Bishop  Carroll  to  William  Vousdan,  Soptembcr  10, 1801. 

»  American  Bute  Papers  (Public  Lands),  Washington,  1882,  pp.  594- 


'1  r 


NATCHEZ. 


BOT 


Yet  even  after  thus  purplmHing  back  their  own  property 
the  little  Catholic  congregation  was  not  safe.' 

Wijen  Winthrop  Sargent  came  m  governor,  "  he  had  seri- 
ous thoughts  of  seizing  the  Catholic  church  building  and 
converting  it  into  a  court  house,  but  said  it  might  hurt  the 
feelings  of  about  a  dozen  Catholic  families,  and  give  oilense 
to  the  King  of  Spain,  who  had  it  built."  ' 

Even  the  petty  portion  of  the  300  arpehts  bestowed  by  the 
Spanish  government  on  the  church  was  not  left  to  the  Cath- 
olics in  peace.     Constant   litigations  were  brought  against 
them  and  after  Natchez  became  a  bishop's  see,  the  burying- 
gronml  was  wrested  from  the  church  by  the  city  authorities." 
The  Catholic  body,  though  steadily  decreasing,  was  visited 
from  time  to  time  by  priests  of  Louisiana  diocese.     Anioufr 
these  niav  especiallv  l)e  named  Rev.  Henry  Boutin,  parl^h 
priest  of  the  Ascension  at  La  Fourche.    He  reached  Natchez 
after  Vousdan  s  .leath,  and  the  priest  soon  found  that  there 
was  no  one  there  able  or  willing  to  aid  in  supporting  the 
church  or  a  clergyman.     There  were  only  a  few  poor  Span- 
iards,  who  showed  no  interest  in  religion,  with  some  Irish 
families,  scattered  through  the  territory.     In  fact  all  who 
cared  for  their  religion  had  gone  to  places  where  they  could 

practice  it.* 

■".  Deed  of  VVm^iiTB^iriiii^  ConprcKation,  January  7, 1802. 

Mr.^Wan.  an  Irish  C'aU.oUc  who  ha.l  ^-n^^^^^;:  ^^'^^^^^^^ 

''nnaihorne,  •'  Mississippi  as  a  Province.  Territory,  and  State."  Jack- 

son.  1880.  pp.  143,  208. 

.  Bishop  Janssens."  Sketch."  etc..  pp.  l.-i-fl. 

«  Rev.  Henry  Boutin  to  Bishop  Carroll.  Natchez.  January  4. 1808.    This 


':ll 


■1 .  ■ '.  1 


pii 


., 


1,1. 

I   hi 


A()H 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


if  I 


-(*■ 


In  1803  HiHliop  Carroll  made  another  visitation  to  New 
England.  On  tho  8tli  of  Septendxir  he  wrote  :  *'  Next  Mon- 
day' the  12th  I  will  leave  thin  (Philadelphia)  for  the  neigh- 
bf>rh(K)d  (»f  New  York.  The  devil  is  always  busy  to  raise 
ohetaoles  in  my  way  ;  he  or  his  agent  has  made  a  dinturhance 
nt  Trenton,  whore  I  did  not  expect  any  business,  which  will, 
perhaj)s,  chuhc  me  some  delay,  so  that  I  do  not  expect  to 
cross  llobuck  ferry  before  Wednesday."  What  an  affair  of 
niagm'tnde  the  journey  was  in  those  days  will  be  seen  by  the 
following  letter  to  James  Barry,  Esq.,  a  devoted  Catholic 
gentleman  the?i  residing  at  New  York,  but  who  had  pre- 
viously iK'en  at  Washington,  where  Bishop  Carroll  formed 
for  him  and  his  family  the  warmest  and  aiost  cordial  attach- 
ment, fully  merited  by  their  pious  and  edifying  lives. 

"  Baltimokk,  August  '25th,  1803. 
"  Dkar  Axn  MUCH  hon'd  Sib 

"  Your  favor  of  the  19"''  which  I  received  Yesterday  af- 
fected me  so  variously,  that  I  forgot  that  I  might  have  an- 
swered it  by  the  return  of  the  niail.  D''  Matignon  has  con- 
cluded finally  to  fix  the  ceremony  on  the  iil>'''  of  Septeml>er, 
Michaclmass  day  ;  so  that  by  leaving  this  in  the  beginning  of 
Sep'  I  shall  have  time  to  be  at  Boston  some  days  ])revious  to 
the  oinniing  of  the  Church  ;  as  it  is  adviseable,  perhaps  nec- 
essary for  me  to  be. 

"  The  route  you  have  traced  for  me,  is  many  respects  such, 
as  I  would  like ;  but  I  fear,  that  it  is  liable  to  inconven- 
iences, with  respect  to  the  transpt>rtation  of  my  baggage, 
which  will  l)e  considerable,  on  account  of   the  Pontiticalia 


zealous  priest  was  drowned  in  the  Mississippi  nnd  liis  body  was  buried 
in  tlie  parish  of  the  Assumption.  Itev.  John  Olivier  to  Bishop  CJarroll, 
April  32,  1811. 


DEDTCATIOtr  OF  CHURCH  IN  BOSTON.      509 

nece««iry  for  the-  occasion ;  and  .ikowifle  the  incoi.venie»ce 
„f  dinpoHing  ..f  my  hontes ;  whcreaB  l)y  another  route,  jM.inted 
out  to  me.  I  rthall  avoid  thoHo  diwidvaiitagcH.     I  i>.n  adviaed 
to  go  to  Hmbti-ka  ferry,  two  miles  above  PowleH  Hook  ;  to 
croHS  ..vor  in  u  l)oat  always  ready,  to  the  wliarf  of  the  new 
Btate  prison,  and  to  follow  the  road  to  the  two  mile  stone ; 
near  which  I  and  my  horses  will  Imj  provided  for  by  M'  An- 
drew Morris ;  having  his  Country  house  there.     Thence  he 
promises  to  me  a  conveyance  to  w^ne  town  on  East  River, 
where  T  shall  tind  packets  for  Rhode  Island  &  Providence.— 
Now  my  plan  was  to  engage  some  Vessel  to  take  me  from 
the  N.  River  to  the  Narrows ;  and  there  to  concert  with  you 
my  further  progress,  the  manner  and  direction  of  which  will 
depend  on  the  Circumstances  of  being  blessed  with  your  good 
company  on  the  Way,  or  otherwise-If  not,  I  mifrht  easily 
return  to  M'   Morris's— running  by  N.  York-Thns  I  should 
have  likewise  an  opportunity  of  seeing  one,  or  l)oth  of  the 
Mesa"   O'Brien.     At  all  events,  I  must  see  you  ;  and  when 
my  time  for  being  at  Elizabeth  Town  is  ascertained,  I  will 
write  from  this  place  to  you,  or  from  Phil" 

"  D'  Sir,  ever  y"' 


/7J^^. 


He  reached  Boston,  however,  before  the  end  of  the  month 
in  spite  of  the  delays.  The  Church  of  the  Holy  Cross  which 
Rev.  Messrs.  Matignon  and  Cheverus  had  erected  on  Frank- 
lin Square  at  a  cost  of  more  than  twenty  thousand  dollars, 
was  of  Ionic  order,  sixty  feet  wide  by  eighty  in  depth.  The 
Hishop  dedicated  it  on  the  29tli  of  September  with  all  the 
soleiuTiity  of  the  ritual. 

Bishop  Carroll's  visit  to  New  England  made  a  deep  im- 
pression.    The  Rev.  Mr.  Chevenis  had  been  earnestly  in- 


610 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


^*»V 


vited  to  return  to  France,  and  Kev.  Mr.  Matignon  feared 
that  he  might  lose  his  aid  :  but  Bishop  Carroll  seems  to  have 
won  him  completely.     After  returning  to  his  episcopal  city 


CTrnROH  OK  THTC  HOT.T  CROBB,  BOSTON.  HKDICATED  BT 
BIBHOP  CARKOIJ,   IN    1808. 

the  Bishop  addresfled  Kpv.  Mr.  Chovenia.  wlio  wrote :  "  All 
you  have  iiientiontKl,  and  many  others  here  and  in  New- 
castle, remenilK>r  and  will  never  forget  the  zeal,  the  amiable 
condescension  of  our  beloved  and  venerable  prelate.     They 


JEROME  BONAPARTE. 


511 


all  beg  to  be  remembered  to  him  as  his  dutiful  and  afiection- 

'' milTn'BoBton,  Bishop  Carroll  learned  of  the  fruitful 
labors  of  Rev.  Mr.  Eomagne  among  the  Indians  m  the  Dis- 

trict  of  Maine.  -n     i    j 

After  his  return  from  his  visitation  to  New  England 
Bishop  Carroll  reluctantly  officiated  at  a  marriag^  which 
aro  sed  the  ire  of  the  First  Consul  of  the  French  Repubhc 
1  to  become  Emperor  of  France.  This  was  the  marnage 
of  his  brother  Jerome  Bonaparte  to  Miss  Patterson,  of  Balti- 
more. The  record  of  the  marriage  in  the  handwntmg  of 
the  Bishop  himself  reads: 

"Baltimore,  December  24"''  1803. 
"With  license,  I  this  day  joined  in  holy  matrimony,  ac- 
cordin..  to  the  rites  of  the  holy  Catholic  C  rch,  Jerome 
Bonaparte,  brother  of  the  First  Con-l  of  France  and  Ehz. 
beth  Patterson,  daughter  of  WilUam  Patterson,  Esq.,  of  the 
City  of  Baltimore,  and  his  wife. 

"  ill  John,  Bishop  of  Baltimore." 

Writing  to  his  friend  James  Barry,  Bishop  Carroll  said: 
«  You  will  have  heard  before  this,  of  my  having  ofticiated  m 
uniting  Jerome  Bonaparte  to  Miss  Patterson,  on  Saturday 
I  wish  well  to  the  young  lady,  but  cannot  help  feanng,  that 
Bhe  may  not  find  all  the  comforts  hereafter,  winch  she  prom- 

ises  herself." '  ,  .    i  i        •„  at\^ 

Rev.  John  Du  Bois,  after  commencmg  his  labors  m  A  r- 
ginia  at  Richmond,  wa.  placed  at  Frederick,  from  which  he 


.  Bishop  Carroll  to  .Tames  Barry.  Philadelphia.  September  8^  1803. 
.  n      Lev.  "  catholic  Church  in  the  United  Btate.'  New  York.  18o6. 
p  552;  bS  Carroll  to  James  Barry.  December  3«.  1803. 


f 


if 


If 


rl 


II 


612 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


made  missionary  excm'sions  to  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania, 
Kev.  Mr.  Zocclii  in  1805  bad  succeeded  Prince  Gallitzin  at 
Taneytown,  which  by  this  time  had  a  fine  church  and  house. 
Winchester  was  one  of  his  missions,  and  there,  too,  he  erectea 
a  church  ;  many  Catholic  farmers  living  at  the  time  in  the 
neighboring  parts  of  the  valley.    Protestants  joined  with 


-— ^>  ^  ■  •  ■ 

RESIDENCE   AND  CHURCn  AT  PORT  TOBACCO,   MD. 

Catholics  in  the  good  work,  laying  aside  the  fanaticism  which 
had  im])uefl  the  people  of  the  Old  Dominion.  Carlisle,  in 
Cumberland  Coiinty.  was  also  attended  by  him. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Duhamel,  who,  after  iK-ing  Director  of  the 
Seminary  of  the  Holy  Ghost  at  Paris,  l)ecame  a  missionary 
in  South  America,  wjis  for  years  missionary  at  Hagarstowii. 

The  northern  tier  of  counties  in  Maryland  from  Deer 
Creek  to  Cuml'erland  were  thus  dotted  with  churches. 


iBylvania, 
allitzin  at 
nd  house, 
le  erected 
ne  in  tin- 
ned with 


8!n  which 
iarlisle,  in 

or  of  the 
iiissionary 
arstown. 
om  Deer 
les. 


WASHINGTON  CITY. 


613 


On  the  Eastern  Shore  Rev.  Mr.  Pasquier  at  Bohemia,  suc- 
ceeding Rev.  A.  Mareclial ;  Rev.  Mr.  Durosier,  a  priest  from 
St.  Domingo,  at  St.  Mary's,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Monely  at  St.  Jo- 
seph's, cultivated  the  missions  planted  tliere  in  early  days  by 
the  Jesuit  Fathers. 

Rev.  Mr.  Bitouzey  was  at  Whitemarsh ;  Rev.  Mr.  Lacy, 
an  Irish  priest,  at  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  ;  Rev.  Mr.  Jouly, 
at  Alexandria.' 

When  the  College  was  commenced  at  Georgetown,  the 
question  of  founding  a  city  to  be  the  capital  of  the  United 
States  had  already  been  frequently  discussed,  and  as  early  as 
October  7,  1783,  a  site  near  Georgetown  had  been  suggested 
by  Elbridge  Gerry,  and  after  nmch  wavering  and  discussion 
the  District  of  Columbia,  comprising  ten  miles  square  in 
Maryland  and  Virginia,  was  decided  upon  by  acts  of  Congress 

in  1790  and  1791.' 

Georgetown  was  included  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  and 
from  its  proximity  to  the  future  capital  could  anticipate  a 
prosperous  future.  The  Catholics  in  that  part  of  Maryland 
had  hitherto  depended  mainly  on  the  chapel  of  the  Young 
family,  but  a  church  dedicated  to  the  Holy  Trinity  was 
erected  in  Georgetown  and  nearly  completed  in  1792."  The 
original  structure  has  since  been  replaced  by  a  second  build- 
ing, venerable  enough  in  appearance  to  date  with  our  earliest 

churches.* 

When  the  city  of  Washington  was  laid  out  by  Major  L'En- 


'  Dilhet,  "  Etat  de  I'Eglise." 

■'  Vurnum,  "  The  Seat  of  Government  of  the  United  States,"  Washing- 
ton, 1854. 

»  Letter  of  Rev.  Father  Neale  in  1792. 

*  The  old  Catholic  cemetery  conUiined  tombstones  dating  back  to  1762 
and  1764   which  were  removed  with  the  remains  they  designated  to  the 
cemetery  near  the  College  Walks.    Letter  of  Father  S.  A.  Kelly.  S.J. 
22* 


II 


II ' 


'■^fM 


;ii 


614  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

fant,  himself  a  Catholic,  there  was  of  course  but  a  pinall 
population,  and  Government  to  attract  others  offered  induce- 
ments to  induce  the  erection  of  churches  and  institutions. 

Bishop  Carroll's  brother  Daniel  had  his  mansion  within 
the  present  city  of  Washington,  and  he  was  one  of  the  com- 
missioners appointed  to  lay  out  the  Federal  District.    It  was 


PICTURE  OF  HOLY  TRINITY  CHURCH,    OEOROETOWN,  D.C. 

thus  very  naturally  a  spot  to  which  Dr.  Carroll  made  fre- 
quent visits,  especially  in  summer,  and  besides  his  own  rel- 
atives and  the  Youngs,  it  soon  l)ecame  the  residence  of  Mr. 
James  Barry,  to  whose  family  he  became  strongly  attached.' 
An  application  was  made  to  the  commissioners  for  a  site 


>  Mr.  Barry's  residence  i-*  now  the  Union  Hotel,  Bridge  Street,  George- 
town. 


iil 


ST.  PATRICK'S  CHURCH. 


615 


it  a  pinuU 
ed  induce- 
iutions. 
ion  within 
•  tbe  c'oni- 
!t.     It  was 


,  D.C. 

I  iniide  f re- 
is  own  rel- 
'nee  of  Mr. 
y  attat'hed.' 
rs  for  a  site 

treet,  George- 


for  a  Catholic  church,"  and  an  edifice  was  projected  suited 
rather  to  the  future  greatness  of  the  National  Capital  than 
the  actual  requirements  of  the  Catholics  in  Washington  or 
the  means  their  limited  number  could  furnish. 

Two  lots  in  square  3Y6  were  purchased  April  17, 1794:,  for 
£80,  and  an  additional  lot  soon  after  by  the  Eev.  Anthony 
Caffrey,  to  whom  the  commissioners  conveyed  them."     Here 
a  church  dedicated  to  Saint  Patrick  was  soon  begun,  and  re- 
mained under  the  c?se  ox  Rev.  Mr.  Catfrey  till  1805,  when 
he  returned  to  Ireland,  where  he  soon  after  died.     He  was 
succeeded  at  St.  Patrick's  church  by  the  Rev.  William  Mat- 
thews, who  remained  in  the  pastorship  of  this  pioneer  Wash- 
ington church  for  nearly  fifty  years,  doing  much  to  encourage 
education  among  his  flock. 

The  worthy  INIr.  Barry  had  already  erected  St.  Mary's 
church,  long  known  as  Barry's  chapel,  for  the  use  of  the 
Catholics  residing  around  Greenleaf's  Point,  near  the  present 

Kavy  Yard.' 

Other  benefactors  were  Daniel  Carroll  of  Dudington, 
who  gave  Dr.  Carroll  a  piece  of  land  in  St.  Peter's  parish 
Inng  "known  as  the  Cathedral  lot,  and  Nicholas  Young, 
who  bestowed  a  whole  square  for  a  cemetery  for  the  same 

parish.' 

Frederic  the  Great  had,  at  the  time  of  the  Brief  of  Pope 
Clement  XIV.  suppressing  the  Society  of  Jesus,  forbidden 


'  Commissioners  to  Bishop  Carroll  and  bis  note  to  .lames  Barry,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1801. 

i  Qustavus  Scott  and  William  Thornton,  Commissioners,  to  Rev.  An- 
thony Caffrey,  February  8, 1798.  They  were  conveyed  to  Bishop  Carroll 
September  10,  1804. 

'  The  corner-stone  of  this  church  was  placed  in  the  present  St  Dom- 
inic's chapel. 

*  Letters  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Walter.   Memorandum  of  Archbishop  Marechal. 


1 


616 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


I' 


i^i* 


;,    ( 


hi 


; 


the  Catholic  Bishops  to  publish  it  in  his  dominions.  The 
Empress  Catharine  of  Kussia  followed  the  same  policy  and 
maintained  the  order.  The  Fathers  of  the  Society  of  Jesus 
made  known  their  position  to  Pope  Clement  himself,  who, 
actuated  by  no  enmity  to  the  order,  authorized  them  to  con- 
tinue their  former  life  under  the  rule  of  Saint  Ignatius. 

Pope  Pius  "VI.  continued  the  favor  of  his  predecessor  to 
this  remnant  of  the  once  flourishing  Society,  and  tinally 
issued  a  decree  investing  the  Bishop  of  Mohilow  with  juris- 
diction over  all  the  religious  orders  in  his  diocese.  Under 
this  authority  the  Jesuits  in  Eussia  opened  a  novitiate.  King 
diaries  III.  of  Spain  wrote  to  the  Empress  to  complain,  but 
she  replied  that  the  Jesuits  were  necessary  for  her  Catholic 
subjects,  and  tlie  Bishop  of  Mohilow  acted  under  her  positive 
orders.  The  Society  took  new  life.  Houses  and  colleges 
increased,  and  in  1782  Catharine  authorized  the  members  of 
the  Society  to  elect  a  general  Superior.  All  these  steps  met 
the  approval  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff. 

On  the  accession  of  Pope  Pius  VII.  to  the  Chair  of  Peter, 
the  Emperor  Paul  of  Russia  wrote  soliciting  a  formal  appro- 
bation of  the  Institute.  Tlie  Pope  submitted  the  question  to 
a  commission  of  four  Cardinals,  who  advised  its  approval  for 
Russia  only.  The  bull  of  Pius  VII.,  "  Catholicse  Fidei,"  on 
the  7th  of  March,  1801,  fully  recognized  and  re-established 
the  Society  in  that  Empire. 

The  tidings  of  these  acts  filled  the  hearts  of  the  priests  in 
America  who  had  Injlonged  to  the  Society  with  consolation 
and  joy  ;  but  al<»o  with  a  yearning  to  enjoy  the  favors  ac- 
corded to  their  brethren  in  Russia. 

Their  case,  however,  was  different.  The  Brief  of  Pope 
Clement  XIV.  had  been  published  by  the  Vicars-Apostolic 
of  Enghmd,  and,  as  we  have  seen,  each  Jesuit  of  the  English 
province  in  Europe  and  America  had  been  required  to  sign 


>n8.    The 
olicy  and 

of  Jesus 
self,  who, 
tn  to  coii- 
tius. 

3ce88or  to 
id  finally 
rith  juris- 
I.  Under 
te.  King 
plain,  but 
r  Catholic 
jr  positive 
d  colleges 
embers  of 

steps  met 

•  of  Peter, 
tial  appro- 
[uestion  to 
iproval  for 
Fidei,"  on 
established 

!  priests  in 

consolation 

favors  ac- 

(f  of  Pope 

B-Apostolic 
;he  English 
red  to  sign 


LETTER   TO  FATHER  GENERAL  QRUBER.    617 

his  absolute  submission  to  it.  The  Jesuits  of  the  English 
province  now  sought  from  the  Sovereign  PontifE  authority 
to  be  received  into  the  Society  in  Russia.  AVhile  Pius  VII. 
wished  and  desired  the  complete  restoration  of  the  order,  he 
could  not  yet  venture  on  authorizing  it  by  a  public  and  offi- 
cial act,  though  he  gave  a  verbal  permission. 

The  restoration  of  the  Society  had  always  been  a  subject 
of  Bishop  Carroll's  thoughts  and  hopes,  and  the  good  priests, 
who  had  for  so  many  years  gloried  in  being  Fathers  of  the 
Society  of  Jesus,  implored  Bishop  CarroU  and  his  coadjutor 
to  take  steps  to  effect  such  a  union  with  Russia  as  would  en- 
able them  to  realize  their  wish. 

It  was  a  period  of  great  anxiety  and  perplexity,  in  whicli 
neither  Dr   Carroll  nor  his  pious  coadjutor,  Bishop  Neale, 
could  see  his  way  clearly.     On  the  25th  of  May,  1803,  they 
wrote  to  Father  Gabriel  Gruber,  General  of  the  Jesuits  in 
Russia.     "  We  who  write  this  letter  to  your  Paternity,"  they 
bec^in,  "  were  fonnerly  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  and  the  Prov- 
inle  of  England.    After  the  fell  destruction  of  the  Society 
in  1773  we  returned  to  this  our  native  land,  and  have  labored 
in  it  together  with  fellow-members  of  our  suppressed  Soci- 
ety ours  being  the  only  Catholic  priests  who  have  labored 
for'the  salvation  of  souls  since  the  tirst  entrance  of  Christians 
into  these  lands."     They  then  detailed  the  erection  of  the 
diocese  of  Baltimore  and  the  influx  of  other  priests.     The 
fourteen  surviving  members  of  the  Society,  most  of  them 
broken  by  years  and  toil,  remained  chiefly  in  the  two  States 
of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  in  which  is  the  oldest  and 
most  powerful  residence  of  Catholics.    They  state  how  joy- 
fully they  had  learned  of  the  preservation  of  the  Society  m 
Russia,  and  the  permission  given  him  by  a  Papal  brief  to 
•    enroll  again  in  the  Society  those  who  had  formerly  been 
men^bers      "  Wherefore  most  of  them  solicit  with  ardent 


018 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


i\- 


desire,  that  by  renewing  the  8ame  vows,  which  they  had 
vowed  to  God  in  the  Society  of  Jesus,  they  may  he  periuitted 
to  end  their  days  in  its  bosom  ;  and  if  it  can  be  done  by  the 
will  of  Providence,  spend  the  remainder  of  their  lives  in  re- 
storing the  Society  among  us.  You  know,  Ver}'  Rev.  Father, 
what  and  how  much  must  be  done  that  not  a  mere  larva  of  the 
old  Society,  but  its  genuine  form,  the  rule,  and  pro])er  8i)irit 
may  revive  in  them  all."  To  efifect  this  the  two  bishopti 
asked :  1.  Whether  the  Sovereign  Pontiif  had  permitted  the 
erection  of  the  Society  elsewhere  tlian  in  Russia,  by  an  authen- 
tic brief  or  bull.  2.  Whether  the  Pope  permitted  only  tlie 
former  members  to  re-enter,  or  authorized  the  reception  of 
new  meml)er8.  3.  What  probation  was  to  precede  the  res- 
toration of  former  members.  4.  How  delegates  were  to  be 
chosen  to  the  General  Congregation.  They  urged  him  to 
select  some  Father  of  great  prudence,  experience  in  the  direc- 
tion of  affairs,  and  daeply  iiiibued  with  the  spirit  of  Saint 
Ignatius,  to  come  over,  wi?h  such  powers  of  a  Visitor  as  the 
holy  founder  conferred  on  Saint  Francis  Borgia  and  others, 
and  effect  the  restoration.  They  did  not  consider  any  one  of 
the  Fathers  in  America  eligible,  as  they  had  been  absorbed 
in  jnift^ionary  duty  and  had  enjoyed  little  leisure  to  study  the 
Constitutions,  and  the  acts  of  the  General  Congregations.  If 
no  one  in  England  could  be  found,  they  preferred  an  Italian 
or  a  German. 

The  bishops  stated  that  the  pro|>erty  formerly  belonging 
to  the  Society  had  been  nearly  all  preserved,  and  was  suffi- 
cient to  maintain  at  least  thirty  Fathers ;  and  that  part  of  it 
had  Ik-'cu  employed  in  founding  a  College  for  the  education 
of  young  men.  They  further  mentioned  their  own  elevation 
to  the  episcopate  and  the  freedom  enjoyed  by  Catholics,  un- 
der which  there  was  no  ol)stacle  to  religious  orden; ;  and  cl()se<l 
by  expressing  their  fervent  wish  that  some  hope  and  bcgiii- 


|5f  F 


I 


they  had 
permitted 
ne  by  the 
ives  in  re- 
V.  Father, 
rva  of  the 
H^er  spirit 

0  bishops 
nitteil  the 
in  authen- 

1  only  tlie 
eption  of 
e  the  res- 
rere  to  be 
id  him  to 
the  <Hreo 

of  Saint 
itor  as  the 
id  others, 
my  one  of 

al)8orbed 
study  the 
itions.  If 
an  Italian 

belonginf^ 

wiis  snfR- 

part  of  it 

education 

I  elevation 

holies,  un- 

and  closed 

iind  begin- 


F.  QRUBERS  REPLY. 


619 


ninp  '.     the  restoration  of  the  Society  may  result  from  their 
con  t'spondence.' 

It  took  long  in  those  days  for  letters  to  pass  between  Rus- 
sia and  tlie  United  States,  and  it  was  not  till  the  12th  of 
Mar"h,  1804,  that   Father-General  Gruber  wrote  from  St. 
Petersburg  in  reply.     He  expressed  his  holy  joy  at  receiving 
such  a  token  of  the  love  of  the  former  members  for  the  So- 
ciety and  desire  to  re-enter  its  bosom,  and  exclaims :  "  Blessed 
be  God  whose  mercy  is  forever  1 "     After  sketching  briefly 
the  preservation  of  the  Society  in  Russia,  its  career  there, 
the  holding  of  four  general  congregations,  and  his  own  elec- 
tion he  came  to  the  questions  propounded  by  Bishop  Carroll 
and  'his  coadjutor.    He  stated  that  for  fear  of  provoking  hos- 
tility from  the  enemies  of  the  Society,  the  Sovereign  Pontiff 
was  deterred  from  declaring  his  favor  to  the  Society  by  an 
express  brief,  but  that  he  permitted  the  reception  of  mem- 
bers outside  the  limits  of  the  Russian  Empire  by  a  "  vivse 
vociB  oraculum,"  as  attested  by  letters  from  Cardinal  Con- 
salvi.  Secretary  of  State,  by  the  Penitentiary  Vincent  Georgi, 
and  by  the  Procurator  of  the  Society,  Father  Cajetan  Ange- 
olini.      By  this  oral  authority.  Very  Rev.  Father  Gruber 
deemed  himself  empowered  to  receive  n»erabers  into  the  So- 
ciety anywhere,  in  silence  and  without  noise.    He  cited  the 
case  of  Father  Aloysius  Poiret,  Missionary  Apostolic  at  Pe- 
kin  who  applied  for  permission  to  reenter  the  Society,  and 
received  in  reply  that  there  was  no  difficulty,  that  it  was  free 
to  any  one  living  out  of  Russia  to  connect  himself  with  the 

Sixiiety  there. 

He  regarded  such  a  step  therefore  as  perfectly  sanctioned. 


.  BiBbops  Carroll  and  Neale  to  Very  Rev.  O-^^^'^l  «'"f  J  ,f  ^rnt 
IftOS  •  Woodstock  Letters,  iv..  p.  73.    As  given  m  Cretineau  Joly,     His 
S-dfi: trpagnie  de  JesuB."  PariB.  184«.  vi..  p.  358,  etc..  it:s neither 
complete  nor  accurate. 


■/: 


If 


I, 

-it 


520 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


only  that  caution  was  required,  bo  as  not  by  the  erection  of 
colleges,  or  the  opni  use  of  the  habit,  to  excite  new  troubles. 
He  then  wrote :  "  This  premised,  I  admit  and  receive  all  who 
seek  union  with  us,  whether  they  formerly  belonged  to  the 
Society  or  not,  in  this  manner,  that  those  who  were  Pro- 
fessed Fathers,  after  an  eight  days'  retreat,  ratify  their  pro- 
fession of  the  four  vows  by  this  brief  formula :  I,  N.N.,  Ije- 
fore  Almighty  God  and  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  ratify  the 
profession  made  by  me  in  the  month  of  ,  in  the  year 

,  at  (for  instance  Li^ge).     Given  at  (Haltimore)  on  the 
day  of  ,  in  the  year  ."     Those  who  lm«l 

not  made  their  profession  after  a  similar  retreat  of  eight  days 
were  to  renew  their  simple  vows,  in  order  to  take  their  last  ones 
a  year  later,  prior  to  which  they  should  make  a  month's  retreat. 
Those  who  never  had  Ixjlonged  to  the  Society  should  make  a 
probation  by  following  the  Spiritual  Exercises  for  four  weeks, 
and  by  reading  the  niles  and  institute,  of  which  he  promised 
to  forward  copies,  and  by  the  cultivation  of  humility  and 
other  solid  virtues.  "  Wherefore,  I  most  humbly  l)e8eech  you. 
Most  Illustrious  and  Reverend  Lord,  by  your  love  for  our 
most  excellent  Mother,  to  apjMjint  some  one  of  our  old  Fathers 
there,  full  of  the  spirit  of  God  and  St.  Ignatius,  who  may  ex- 
amine thoso  who  are  to  be  admitted  for  the  first  time,  instruct, 
form,  and  watch  over  them  :  wlio  if  it  seems  best  to  you,  may 
communicate  with  Father  Stone,  Provincial  of  England,  or 

with  Father  Strickland  at  London In  the  meanwhile 

I  commit  the  whole  to  the  favor,  zeal,  and  patronage  of  your- 
self. Most  Illustrious  and  Reverend  Lord  and  your  coadjutor 
the  Bishop  of  Gortyna.  If  you  both  consider  that  it  will  be 
easy  to  communicate  with  I'ather  Stone,  the  Provincial  of 
England,  let  ours  turn  to  him  for  the  necessary  government. 
If  Father  Stone  is  too  distant,  infonn  me,  and  propose  some 
one  of  our  Fathers  in  America  whom  I  can  appoint  Provin- 


DR.  CARROLVS  ACTION. 


691 


cial.  In  the  meantime,  let  the  most  Illustrious  and  lleverend 
Bisiiop  of  Baltimore  designate  one  who  may  govern  not  only 
the  novices  but  the  whole  reviving  Swiety,  with  all  the 
powers,  which  I  concede  '  ad  interim'  to  the  one  thus  to  be 

selected." '  „.  ,       ^r    , 

Bishop  Carroll  and  his  coadjutor,  Bishop  Neale,  were  ani- 
mated with  the  deepest  affection  for  the  Society  of  which 
they  had  been  members.     Nothing  was  dearer  to  their  hearts 
than  its  restoration,  and  had  it  then  been  authorized  by  a 
brief  of  equal  power  with  that  suppressing  it,  both  would  in 
all  probabiUty  have  resigned  the  episcopal  dignity  to  become 
once  more  simple  Fathers  of  the  Society  of  Jesus.     Writing 
to  Father  Stone,  Bishop  Carroll  said:  "The  example  of  tl«e 
good  Bishop  of  Verona,  is  a  lesson  for  Bishop  Neale  and  my- 
self to  meditate  on,  and  it  has  indeed  before  and  since  the 
receipt  of  your  letter,  been  often  a  subject  of  consideration 
with  me,  whether  I  ought  not  to  petition  the  Pope  to  resign 
and  resume  my  former  state.    My  Bishoprick,  as  you  know, 
crivps  me  no  woridly  advantages,  and  is  very  burthensome. 
Can  I  promote  the  honor  of  God  more,  by  relinquishing 
than  by  retaining  it?     Into  whose  hands  could  the  Diocese 
be  committed,  who  would  not  periiaps  thwart  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Society  and  oppose  a  reinvestment  in  it  of  the 
property  formeriy  possessed,  and  still  so  providently  retained? 
These  considerations  have  hitherto  withheld  my  coadjutor  and 
myself  from  coming  to  a  resolution  of  retuniing  to  the  So- 


» 1 


cicty. 

But  Bishop  Carroll  feared  to  take  action  on  a  brief  ad- 
dressed to  Kussia  only,  never  promulgated  in  other  parts. 


.  Very  Rev.  Gabriel  Gruber  to  Bishop  Carroll.  St.  Petersburg.  March 
12  1804. 
'  Bishop  Carroll  to  Very  Rev.  Marraaduke  Stone. 


if 


1: 


■1  ,j 


1  iv 


!.'}  •■ 


#' 


622 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Is- 


ami  extended  only  by  a  "  viviu  vocis  ornciiluin "'  of  the  reign- 
ing l'o|)e.  llu  8aw  the  danger  that  menaced  those  who  in 
America  might  act  under  it.  The  next  Pope  might  deny 
the  authenticity  of  the  verbal  i)ermi88ioii,  of  which  the  Ar- 
chives would  allord  no  otHcial  record,  and  troi.t  aw  rolMils  to 
the  Church,  thow  who  in  defiance  of  the  Brief  of  Pope  Cle- 
ment XIV.  had  resumed  the  habit,  and  lived  together  under 
the  rule  of  St.  Ignatius,  when  their  individual  adhesions  to 
that  Brief  were  on  file  at  Rome. 

The  course  he  adopted  can  bo  seen  in  the  following,  copied 
from  his  own  handwriting: 

"  May  l>th,  I8(i.'».'  In  consequence  of  advices  received 
from  the  Very  Ilev.  V  (iabriel  Grulwr,  Gen'  of  the  Society 
of  Jesus  in  Russia,  a  notification  was  made  to  all  who  had 
preferred  their  |)etition  for  the  restoration  of  the  said  So- 
ciety, that  the  Bishops  of  Baltimore  and  Gortyna  would  bold 
a  conference  at  St.  Thomas's  manor,  with  those  who  jMjrsisted 
in  their  desire.  Accorilingly  on  this  day  were  there  assem- 
bled, besides  the  aforementioned  Bishops  the  RR.  John 
Bolton,  Charles  Sewall,  Sylvester  Boarman,  Charles  Neale 
and  Baker  Brooke.  The  Bishop  of  Bait"  after  prayers  be- 
gan the  Conference  by  reading  the  copy  of  F'  Gruber'a  let- 
ter to  him  received  thro'  the  lieV"  W"'-  Strickland  of  Lon- 
don, for  the  original  letter  has  never  come  to  hand.  He 
read  likewise  other  letters  from  Europe  wliich  tended  more 
and  more  to  disclose  the  state  of  the  Society  there :  and  after 


'  It  was  not  till  May  that  the  survivors,  all  men  well  in  years,  could 
meet,  for  the  winter  had  been  one  ■  f  unexampled  length  and  severity. 
Rev.  Charles  SewaH  to  Rev.  NicboliM  Sewall.  February  '805.  "  Our 
lame  and  crippl<<l  ^mition  iu  point  of  the  old  memlwrt-  .tiers  the  r-'im- 
mencement  of  the  businitw  pt-rfectly  awkwHrd.  However,  Bishop  I'ar 
roll  will  meet  our  Gentlemen  at  St.  Thomas's  manor  soon  after  Eifter  in 
order  to  put  hand  to  work."  Bishop  Neale  to  Rev  F.  Marmaduke  Stone, 
March  15,  1805. 


THE  SOCIETY  REORGANIZED. 


623 


recapitulating  the  reasoiiB  for  hopiii!?  a  Hecure  and  lasting  ro 
CHtal)li«lnnent  ..f  the  Society,  as  well  aH  tl.oHC  wl.i'-h  gave  rea- 
8on  to  fear  itH  Htability,  the  Bishop  added  that  the  whule  «iil>- 
ject  heing  now  before  thcni,  each  one  was  to  deterniino  for 
hiniBclf  the  course  he  had  to  pursue,  either  of  uniting  hiin- 
Mjlf  inunediately  with  the  Society  in  Runsia,  or  of  waiting 
till  a  public  and  authentic  brief  or  bull  was  issued,  authoriz- 
ing its  re-establishment.   The  matter  being  thus  proposed,  and 
each  one  desired  to  consult  his  own  heart,  the  meeting  was 
adjourned  to  the  following  day." 

The  next  day  all  expressed  their  wish  to  unite  with  the 
Society,  and  announced  that  Tlev.  Robert  Molyneux  also  au- 
thorized thenj  to  declare  it  to  be  his  desire. 

In  fact,  however,  only  the  Rev.  Robert  Molyneux,  Rev. 
Charies  Sewall,  and  Rev.  Charies  Neale  then  renewed  their 
engJigements  and  gave  »  a  commencement  to  the  good  work 
go  earnestly  recommended." 

Father  John  Bolton  and  Father  Sylvester  Boariuan  soon 
joined  their  old  associates;  but  on  the  2l8t  of  June  Bishop 
Carroll,  by  virtue  of  the  letter  of  the  General,  appointed  Rev. 
Robert'  Molyneux  Superior,  with  the  powers  of  Provincial, 
of  the  Society  of  Jesus  in  the  United  States.'     He  received 
the  ratification  of  his  profession,  and  Father  Molyneux  re- 
ceived the  two  others  int.)  the  Society.     On  the  0th  of  Au- 
gust, 1805,  he  wr       .0  Bi  l.op  Carroll  •  "  We  are  all  to  enter 
on  a  spiritUMl  retreat  of  eight  days,  and  on  Sunday  withm 
the  octave  of  the  Assumption  iKjrform  the  requisite  to  Ix-come 
members  of  our  ancient  Mother,  th.  Society  of  Jesus."  ' 
The  Jesuit  body,  which  began  in  Maryland  with  its  settle- 


BUhop  Carroll  to  Rev.  Robert  Molyneux.  June  31,  1805, 
at>jH)lntment  .June  27,  1805. 
'  Father  Robert  Molyneux  to  BUhop  Carroll. 


Formal 


■ 

mm 

"*'ni 


524 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


lilt! 


ment,  in  the  persons  of  Fathers  White  and  Altham,  now  be- 
gan a  new  life  after  an  extinction  of  about  thirty  years. 

Father  Robert  Molyneux,  whose  name  has  often  appeared 
in  the  history  of  Catho'jcity  in  America,  was  born  near 
Formby,  in  Lancashire,  England,  on  the  24th  of  July,  1738, 
and  entered  the  Society  of  Jesus  on  the  eve  of  the  Nativity 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  1757,  and  was  professor  in  the  college 
at  Bruges.     He  came  to  this  country  in  1 771,  and  was  soon 
afterward  stationed  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  was  a  zealous 
and  devoted  missionary  for  many  years,  beholding  his  Soci- 
ety suppressed  and  the  American  colonies  severed  from  the 
British  realm  rise  into  a  republic  full  of  strength  and  vigor. 
In  1788  he  was  stationed  at  Bohemia,  and  then  at  Newtown, 
where  he  remained  till  he  became  President  of  Georgetown 
College.     He  held  that  position  till  1796,  and  was  again  at 
Newtown  till  his  appointment  as  Superior  of  the  American 
Jesuits  by  Bishop  Carroll.     He  then  took  up  his  residence  at 
St.  Thomas'  Manor  in  Maryland.     He  was  efficient  in  reor- 
ganizing the  Society,  and  when  Bishop  Neale  resigned  the 
presidency  of  Georgett)wn  College  in  1806,  resumed  that 
lK)sition,  but  his  life  of  labor  was  nearly  at  its  close.     On  the 
9th  of  December,  1808,  he  piously  ended  his  long  and  useful 

life.' 

To  aid  the  new  mission,  the  Genenl  of  the  Order  in  18(t5 
sent  over  Fathers  Adam  Britt  and  John  Henry,  who  were 
followed  the  next  year  by  Fathers  Francis  Maleve,  Anthony 
Kohlmann,  and  Peter  Epinette.' 

On  the  22d  of  February,  1806,  the  General  ot  the  Society, 


'  Foley,  "Reconls  of  the  English  Provinoi',"  London,  1882.  vii.,  p. 
!SU  ;  Wo()dstwk  LetU-rs,  xv.,  pp.  9»-100,  xii.,  p.  289;  Bishop  Carroll  to 
James  Barry,  Oct<>l)er  12,  1806. 

'  Bishop  Neale  to  F.  Marmaduke  Stone,  Febniary  16,  1808;  F.  An- 
thony Kohlmann  to  Kev.  Mr.  Strickland,  February  23, 1807. 


JESUITS  FROM  RUSSIA. 


625 


Father  Brzozoweki,  appointed  Father  Robert  Molyneux  Su- 

inr  Tnd  a  regular  novitiate  was  opened  at  Georgetown  on 

ClOth  of  October,  1806.    Vocations  were  not  wanting  m 

!  ratholic  families  of  Maryland ;  bnt  these  accessions  did 

'^'  "Wd  be  req2d  0  form  and  educate  for  the  priest- 

r"  11  Ae  relLus  life  those  who  entered.    The  first  to 
Ixood  and  tbe  religion  ^^^^^^^  ^^^^^ 

T  it.  John  McElroy,  and  several  lay  brothers,  all  under 
Bow  mg,  John  Mc^y^  ^  ^^^^^^  ^^^  ^,,^  gone 

the  direction  of  ^^^l.-^n     lefore  the  close  of  their  two 
:Zt:rererrs  in  the  novitiate,  with  several 

lay  brothers.^         saw  the  accession  to  his  clergy  with  a  great 
r^Jrr%i..-eofOeorg.own^^^^^^^ 

,        nriost  was  sorely  needed  to  repair  past  Bcandata. 
Its  rtcCtcl.ea  Father KoU™„n  to  give  «  n,is.,on 
fr  ,rcn,rcl,;  .l.en  to  visit  the  country  pansl>es  where 
Ge    1   V-valled,  and  arouse  tl,e  faith  of  the  people    Tha 
Lrerni.ui«  i  concluded  his  apostolic  work  by  a 

T:X'  «ta         .,rGer,„an  chi  in  Baltimore.- 
Tre  r^  Us  wt  „,ost  consoling,  for  Father  Kohln^n  was. 

s=rxrSir:sieC^:^^ 
~--;'rif^;:^=i:^;^:^->en 

The  bocieiy  oi  o  ,,ronertv  which  had  been 

re-entered  into  possession  of  the  property 

,  F.  Anthony  Kt.Ul.uanu  to  F.  Strickland.  Apnl  23. 1807. 


Hi 


■  •I*---'-! 


526 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


preserved.  It  was,  however,  agreed  l>etween  Bishop  Carroll 
and  Father  Molynenx  that  ''the  annuity  allotted  to  the 
Bishop  from  the  estates  of  the  Society  or  Corporation  shall 
continue  perpetual  and  inalienable  and  an  authentic  instru- 
ment of  writing  to  that  effect  shall  be  execited."  ' 

On  the  death  of  Ilev,  Mr.  Fouruier  and  the  suspension  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Thayer,  the  whole  mission  labor  in  Kentucky  de- 
volved on  the  energetic  priest,  Badin.  For  two  years  he 
lived  almost  constantly  on  horseback,  riding  from  station  to 
station  to  attend  to  the  wants  of  the  Catholics  scattered 
through  the  State.  He  was  assiduous  in  the  care  of  his 
flock,  and  if  strict,  was  loved  and  respected.  He  trained  his 
people  to  say  their  morning  and  night  prayers  constantly  ;  to 


FAC-8IMII.E  OF   8I0NATUUE  OF   REV.  STEPHEN   T.  BADIN. 


/ 


receive  the  sacrnments  regularly  ;  to  be  devout  to  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  and  say  the  rosary  fre«]uently  ;  to  attend  mass  ])unc- 
tually,  if  it  was  said  within  live  miles'  walk  or  ten  miles'  ride, 
and  espiH-iallv  to  instruct  their  children  and  servants  in  the 
principles  of  their  faith. 

lie  ha<l  fre(juent  encounters  with  the  Protestant  ministers, 
but  his  keen  wit  and  his  learning  generally  made  him  dreatl- 
ed.  Although  his  own  flock  was  more  than  enough  for  his 
care,  he  was  constantly  instructing  and  receivitig  Protestants 
into  the  Church. 

In  July,  1.SU5,  a  ])rie.st  came  to  relieve  him — one  who  was 
to  leave  a  name  never  to  be  forgotten  in  the  annals  of  the 


'  "  Agri'ement  adoptwi  and  sifrned  lietwecn  the  Right  Rev.  J.  Ciirroll, 
Bishop  of  Haitiinorc.  and  the  Ht'v.  Holx-rt  Mulyutux." 


REV.  CHARLES  NERINCKX. 


627 


Church.  This  was  the  Rev.  Charles  Nerinckx,  a  native  of 
Herffelingen,  in  Belgium,  who,  graduated  at  the  University 
of  Louvain  in  1781,  had  been  ordained  to  the  priesthood 
four  years  later,  at  the  age  of  twenty-four.  While  zealously 
discharging  his  duties  as  parish  priest  of  Everberg-Meerbeke, 


UEV.    CIIAKl.KS   NEKINCKX. 

he  was  compelled  to  fly  to  escape  arrest  by  the  Prench  v;ho 
had  invaded  Belgium.  Ministering  to  the  faithful  by  stealth 
for  sonie  years,  he  applied  at  last  to  Bishop  Carroll,  and  h.s 
services  having  been  accepted,  he  crossed  the  ocean  and 
huKled  in  Baltimore.  October  14.  1804,  and  was  at  once  as- 
signed to  the  laborious  mission  of  Kentucky.    In  July,  l80.>, 


f  i, 


I  ^«  ' 


J;. 


tj 


■tU' 


fi28 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


he  joined  Rev.  Mr.  Badin  at  St.  Stephen's,  and  began  his 
holy  and  zealous  ministry,  which  left  enduring  monuments.' 
Soon  after  a  colony  of  Trappist  monks,  under  Father  Urban 
Guillet,  reached  Kentucky  in  the  autumn,  and  took  up  their 
-esidence  un  Pottinger's  Creek,  at  the  foot  of  Rohan's  Knob. 
Two  of  the  priests  soon  died  at  St.  Stephen's,  attended  by 
Kev.  Mr.  Nerinckx,  and  a  third  followed  sl)ortly  after  they 
had  taken  possession  of  their  first  home.  Unfortunately  the 
Superior  was  restless  and  capricious.  No  place  seemed  to 
suit  him,  and  liis  coranmnity,  weakened  by  austerities  and 
the  hardship  of  travel,  were  exposed  to  malarious  disease  by 
constantly  breaking  new  ground  and  drinking  unwholesome 
water.  He  transferred  them  to  Casey's  Creek  in  1807,  where, 
under  the  prior,  Rev.  Father  Mary  Joseph  Dunand,  they  be- 
g-an  a  community  life  in  a  double  frame  cabin,  which  Rev. 
Mr.  Nerinckx  describes  as  about  as  large  as  a  ten-horse  stable, 
hardly  keeping  out  the  rain,  but  serving  as  dormitory,  refec- 
tory, and  church.  But  in  1809  the  fickle  Superior  transferred 
his  community  to  Florissant,  Missouri,  the  next  year  to  Look- 
ing Glass  Prairie,  Illinois,  leaving  a  trace  of  their  passage  in 
the  name  of  "  Monk's  Mound,"  given  to  the  ancient  Indian 
work  on  which  they  planted  their  monastery.  In  1813  Father 
I'^rban  returned  to  Europe  with  nearly  all  his  monks.  These 
pious  and  austere  men  left  only  the  example  of  their  virtue  ; 
they  did  not,  to  any  considerable  extent,  contribute  to  build 
up  Catholicity  in  the  West.' 

'  See  the  adminible  Life  of  this  holy  priest  by  Right  Rev.  C".  P.  Mney, 
BiMhop  of  ("oviiigtoii. 

'Bishop  Maes,  "The  Life  of  Rev.  Charles  Nerinrk.x,"  Cincinnati, 
\m).  pp.  100-112  ;  Webb,  "  The  Centenary  of  Catholicity  in  Kentucky,  ' 
Louisville,  1S84,  pp.  194-9;  Spalding,  "  Sketches  of  Kentucky,"  Louis- 
ville, pp.  IrtH,  etc.  ;  "  Itelation  de  ce  (jui  est  arrivt  i\  deu.\  Iteligieux  de 
la  TrapiH."  jK-ndant  leur  sejcjur  aupres  des  Sauvages,"  Paris,  1824  ;  Pope, 
"  Memoir  of  Father  Vincent  de  Paul,"  CharlotteUjwn,  1886. 


KENTUCKY. 


529 


Rev.  Mr.  Keriiickx  resided  for  a  time  with  Rev.  Mr.  Badin 
at  St.  Steplien'8,  but  before  the  close  of  his  first  year  he  re- 
moved to  the  house  erected  by  Rev.  Mr.  Fournier  on  Rolhiig 
Fork.  Here  a  frame  church  had  been  hastily  erected  by  the 
people,  to  which,  on  the  feast  of  the  Holy  name  of  Mary,  in 
September,  1805,  he  gave  the  name  of  Holy  Mary  ;  but  on 
the  15th  of  November  he  laid  the  corner-stone  of  a  larger 
and  more  substantial  edifice,  though  it  was  to  cost  only  four 


CHCUCn  OF  8T.    PRANCtH   XAVIKR,   LEONABDTOWN,    MD. 

hundred  dollars.  It  was  to  receive  a  statue  of  Our  Lady 
which  he  had  brought  from  Belgium.  The  next  year  lit 
erected  on  Hardin's  Creek  a  log  church,  dedicated  to  St. 
Charles  Borromeo,  for  a  congregation  of  six  hundred,  who 
had  been  in  the  habit  of  meeting  at  the  house  of  Henry 
Hagan.     This  was  the  fourth  church  in  Kentucky.' 


1  BiHhop  Mia-s,  "The  Life  of  Rev.  Charles  Neriuckx,"  pp.  114-9; 
Spaltliug,  pp  loO,  etc. ;  Webb. 
23 


1    «■'  M  fci  I 

.'»r 


m 


530 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


>i 


.9  '  ■ 

Iffi 


About  this  time  the  two  Kentucky  priests  uiade  a  journey 
to  Vincennes,  wliich  Bishop  Carroll  had  been  unable  to  sup- 
ply with  a  priest  after  the  death  of  the  zealous  Rev.  Mr. 
Rivet.  Their  sermons  and  exhortations  on  the  occasion  of 
the  Jubilee,  their  assiduity  in  the  confeasional  and  in  cate- 
chizing awakened  the  faith  of  the  j>eople,  and  on  the  25th  of 
April  the  Vincennes  Catholics  wrote  to  Bishop  Carroll,  im- 
ploring him  to  give  them  a  resident  pastor.  Here  would 
have  been  a  spot  for  the  Trappists,  near  a  Catholic  town,  on 
land  cultivate<l  for  sevi'ral  generations.  Bishop  Carroll  re- 
plied to  the  people,  encouraging  them  to  persevere  in  the 
good  resolutions  formed,  Jind  promising  to  use  every  exertion 
to  obtain  a  priest  for  them.' 

Besides  the  Catholic  emigrants  from  Maryland,  a  number 
of  Irish  Catholics  sought  homes  in  Kentucky,  especially  in  and 
near  Danville.  They  soon  projected  the  erection  of  a  church, 
and  in  ISOO  Daniel  Mcllroy  gave  a  pieceof  ground  at  that  place 
as  a  site  for  a  church.  Rev.  Mr.  Badiji  agreeing  to  pay  $50  for 
it.  On  this,  in  1807,  was  erected  St.  Patrick's,  the  first  Cath- 
olic church  in  the  State  constructed  of  l)rick.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Badin  reipiested  the  Dominican  Fathers  to  take  charge  of  this 
place,  but  the  land  wjis  not  paid  for  and  no  deed  executed. 
Meanwhile  ^Icllroy  became  embarrassed  in  business ;  liis  proj)- 
ertv  was  attached  i>v  his  creditors,  who  sold  the  clnhr'h  without 
any  regard  to  the  rights  of  the  Catholic  body.  The  money 
contributed  by  the  Iri^;h  Catholics  was  thus  lost  to  them.  St. 
Patrick's  church  became  a  private  house  and  is  still  standing  on 
P'ifth  Street,  Danville,  the  residence  of  Professor  Fales.' 


ml  ' 


'  Bishop  Tiirroll  lo  Ciith..lic  inlnl)itjiiit.s  of  Post  Viiuvnncs.  Sept.  6. 
1804;  .Vli'nling,  "A  History  of  the  C'utholic  Church  in  the  Diocese  of 
Vincennes,"  In(liiinaiK)liH,  j).  76. 

'  Hev.  C".  Nerinckx  to  his  parents,  Aug.  29,  1807.  Lcttcc  of  llcv.  A. 
.1.  Hriiily. 


FIRST  BRICK  CHURCH. 


631 


Thus  the  first  brick  church  in  Kentucky,  erected  by  the 
joint  exertions  of  Kev.  Messrs.  Badin  and  ^erinckx,  and  the 
contributions  even  of  Protestants,  was  lost  to  Catholicity.' 
Modernized  into  a  dwelling-house  of  the  present  day,  thia 
venerable  structure  presents  nothing  to  the  eye  to  recall  the 
pioneer  priests  of  Kentucky,  Badin  and  Nerinckx. 

Soon  after  the  conuneacenient  of  the  Danville  church,  the 


rUESENT   CONDITION   OK   ST.  r.VTIlICK  S  CllUllCtl,  DANVILLE,  KY., 
FIK8T  CATHOLIC   IIUICK  CUUHCU   IN  THE  STATE. 

Rev.  Mr.  Biidin  was  able  to  announce  that  there  was  some 
prospect  of  a  church  being  erected  at  Louisville.' 

During  the  days  of  persecution  when  the  penal  laws  of 
Ensrland  bore  with  fearful  intolerance  on  her  Catholic  sub- 

'  Lplfers  of  Uev.  S.  T.  Hiuliii  to  Risliop  Carroll,  1807,  1808;  Webb, 
"  The  t'l'iifcimry  of  C'atliolicity  in  Kentucky,"  Louisville,  1884,  pp.  157, 
570;  Risliop  Maes,  "The  Life  of  the  Rev.  Charles  Nerinckx,"  Oiiicin- 
nafi,  18S0,  p.  1','2. 

■>  Rev.  S.  T.  Badin  to  Biyhop  Carroll,  June  15, 1808. 


^  hi 


Is 

r 

I, 

(,' 


•  I 


08S 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


jects,  the  Continent  became  the  home  of  their  seminaries, 
colleges,  and  cloisters.  One  of  the  religious  houses  there 
founded  was  the  Convent  of  the  Donunican  Fathers  at  Born- 
heini,  in  Jielgium.  Here  a  young  man  of  the  Maryland 
house  of  Fen  wick  assumed  the  white  habit  of  Saint  Dominic, 
impelled  by  the  hope  that  he  might,  in  God's  providence,  be 
enabled  to  found  a  branch  of  that  order  in  his  native  land. 
The  armies  of  revolutionary  France,  imbued  with  a  hatred  of 
religion,  swept  over  Belgium.  The  convent  at  Bornheim 
was  seized  and  plundered,  but  the  Fathers  all  escaped  to 
England,  except  Father  Edward  Dominic  Fenwick,  who  was 
then  procurator  of  the  house.  He  was  arrested  and  confined, 
but  his  claim  of  American  cit'zenship  opened  the  prison 
doors,  and  he  joined  his  brethren  in  England,  where  they 
had  established  Carshalton  Academy.  Here  the  plan  of  his 
early  days  revived,  and  in  January,  1804,  with  the  consent 
of  his  Superiors,  he  wrote  to  Bishop  Carroll  about' his  project 


SIGNATrRE  OK  FATHER   TIIOMA8  WILSON,  O.P. 


'■>f 


of  establishing  an  academy  in  America,  to  be  conducted  by 
the  Friars  I'reachers. 

Receiving  the  encouragement  which  Bishop  Carroll 
promptly  gave,  he,  with  the  consent  and  aid  of  his  Supe- 
rior, Father  Thomas  Wilson,  applied  to  the  General  of  the 
Order  and  the  Holy  See.  The  Sacred  Congregation  de  Pro])- 
aganda  Fide  on  the  11th  of  March,  1805,  <»n  the  approval 
of  Father  Pius  .Joseph  (laddi.  General  of  the  Dominican 
Order,  and  by  the  desire  of  the  whole  body,  authorized  Bishop 
Carroll,  to  whose  prudent  decision  the  atfair  was  committed, 


THE  DOMINICANS. 


633 


to  permit  Father  Edward   Dominic  Fenwick   to  found  a 
province  of  his  order  in  the  United  States.' 

Without  waiting  for  the  formal  ))aper8  from  Rome,  Father 
Edward  Fenwick,  who  as  an  American  by  birth  had  been 
selected  as  Superior,  with  Fathers  Thomas  Wilson,  William 
Raymond  Tuite,  and  Robert  Angier,  set  out  for  America. 
After  a  long  and  tedious  voyage,  Fenwick  and  Angier 
reached  Captain  James  Fen  wick's  place  at  St.  George's, 
Maryland,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1804.'  During  the 
next  year  these  new  missioners  were  employed  in  Maryland ; ' 
but  as  Bishop  Carroll  directed  their  attention  to  Kentucky  as 
a  suitable  field.  Father  Fenwick  made  his  plans  for  an  Acad- 
emy there,  which  Bishop  Carroll  tKus  approved  : 


"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Edward  D.  Fenwick  and  other  Rev*"  Cler- 
gymen connected  with  him,  having  proposed  to  themselves 
the  establishment  of  a  College  or  Academy  in  Kentucky, 
for  the  education  of  youth,  I  not  only  approve  of  but  greatly 
rejoice  at  their  having  formed  such  a  resolution,  which  if 
carried  into  effect,  cannot  fail  of  producing  the  most  bene- 
ficial effects  for  improving  the  minds  and  morals  of  the  rising 
generation  and  fortifying  their  religious  principles.  Believ- 
ing that  God  iti  his  beneficence  inspired  this  design  into  their 
mindti,  I  take  the  liberty  of  recommending  to  and  exhorting 
iiU  my  dear  Brethren  and  Children  in  Christ,  to  grant  to  it 


'  F.  Edward  D.  Fenwick  to  Bishop  Carroll,  Carshalton  Academy,  Sur- 
rey, January  13,  May  5, 1804 ;  "  Decretuni  Sac.  Couguis  gulis  de  Propa- 
ganda Fide,  habita  die  11  Martii  1805." 

*  F.  Edward  D.  Fenwick  to  Bishop  Carroll,  St.  George's,  November 
29,  1804. 

'  Same  to  same,  Washington,  December  L"),  1804 ;  Zachia,  October  10, 
1805. 


,1 


•  V 


1'*'.! 


634 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


every  encouragement  they  are  able,  and  thus  oo-oporate  to 
the  Buccesfl  of  a  work  undertaken  for  the  glory  of  Gotl  and 

their  own  advantage. 

"  John,  Bishop  of  Baltinioix*. 

"  Baltimore,  April  25, 1806." 

Proceeding  to  Kentucky,  Fatlier  Fenwick  purchased  of 
Jolm  Waller  a  plantation  of  5<iO  acres,  near  Springtield,  in 
Washington  ('ounty,  lying  on  ("artwriglit's  Creek.  It  had 
on  it  a  small  brick  house  and  two  mills.  This  j)lace,  a'-quired 
for  the  sum  of  $4,500,  Ix^came  the  home  of  the  order  in 
Kentucky.  His  fellow-religious  joined  him  in  ISOfi,  and  a 
church  dedicut(Ml  to  8t.  Rose  of  Lima,  the  first  native  of  the 
New  World  canonized  by  the  Holy  See,  was  at  once  Im  gun. 
Father  Wilson  said  of  the  people  among  whom  they  were  to 
labor  :  "  The  men  ImHIi  young  and  old  in  this  poor  country 
are  very  shy  of  priests ;  a  little  good-nature  will,  I  hoj)e,  in 
time,  bring  many  to  their  duty :  some  already  droj)  in  by 
degrees  :  not  one  in  twenty  f  recpients  the  sacraments ;  few 
since  they  left  Maryland.'  They  will  not  he  driven,  they 
say,  and  indeed  with  gotnl  words  they  will  almost  do  aiiytluTig 
for  you,  considering  their  j)Overty.  They  are  Ix^yond  expec- 
tation generous  in  our  regard.     I  hope  God  Almighty  will 


'  Spaldinp,  "  Rkftrlip«  of  Kpiituoky."  I-ouisvillc,  p.  149  ;  Wclib,  "Tlie 
Centcnnry  of  Ciifholicity  in  Kentucky."  liouisvillo,  1884,  pp.  09,  200,  202  ; 
Father  T.  Wilson  to  Bisliop  Ciirroll,  .Inly  2r).  IHOtJ ;  Fiithor  Edwiird  D. 
Fenwick  to  same,  St.  Rose's  College,  near  Spriu^rfleld,  Ky.,  April  8, 
1H07.  (treat  interest  was  fell  at  Home.  Father  U.  Luke  C'oncanen,  after- 
ward Bishop  of  New  York,  writinp  to  Bisliop  Carroll,  .lainiary  !J0,  IKOfl, 
says  :  "  I  can  never  sufficiently  thank  you  for  the  kind  reception  and  en- 
couragement and  firotection  you  have  iM-en  pleased  to  show  my  confreres 
Fenwick  and  companions,  in  their  laudable  undertakinjj.  May  it  tuni 
out  'Ad  Majorem  Dei  Oloriam.'  You  hpve  the  humble  thankii  of  my 
Father-Gcnerul  and  of  all  these  of  my  orJer  here." 


A  CATHEDRAL  PROPOSED. 


585. 


bless  their  g.  od-will  and  desire  of  seeing  priests,  as  they  call 
them,  of  their  own." 

Father  Fenwick  soon  resigned  his  position  and  urged  the 
appointment  of  his  old  superior,  Father  Wilson,  a  learned, 
holv,  and  experienced  priest,  as  Provincial.  A  novitiate  was 
opened  in  1801),  and  the  province  acquired  a  permanent  place 
in  the  history  of  the  Church. 

Let   us  now  return   to  Bishop  Carroll's  episcopal  city. 
Up  to  this  time  Bishop  Carroll  had  used  as  his  pro-cathe- 
dral the  church  of  St.  Peter,  but  he  felt  that  he  ought  to 
undertake  the  erection  of  a  suitable  cathedral  church,  and 
that  if  he  hoped  to  see    ■  completed,  the  work  should  be 
at  once  commenced.     He  had  in  a  pastoral  letter  in  1803 
called  on  the  faithful  of  his  diocese  to  aid  in  the  great  work. 
*'  Having  long  entertained,"  Kiys  the  founder  of  our  hier- 
archy, "  an  anxious  desire  of  dedicating  a  church  to  God,  to 
be  erected  by  the  united  efforts  of  all  our  brethren  in  this 
diocese,  to  stand  as  the  evidence  of  their  attachment  to  the 
unity  of  episcopal  government,  as  well  as  of  their  unity  iv) 
faith  (for  these  are  ins< 'parable),  and  being  made  sensible  by 
my  descent  in  the  vale  of  years,  that  I  ought  not  to  expect 
to  see  this  work  accomplished  unless  it  be  soon  undertaken, 
I  am  induced  to  recur  to,  and  intreat  you  by  your  attachment 
to  the  interests  of  our  holy  rpligion  and  affection  for  its 
Author,  and  the  object  of  its  worship,  Jesus  Christ,  to  lend 
your  aid  toward  carrying  this  design  into  effect." 

In  view  of  the  sacritices  necessjiry  in  many  parts  where 
churches  had  to  be  erected,  and  the  necessity  ..f  securing  a 
maintenance  for  their  pastor,  the  good  Bishop  did  not  antici- 
pate great  contributions  from  those  living  at  a  distance  from 
the  s^at  of  the  intended  cathedral,  but  he  called  on  the  more 
prosperous  members  to  emulate  the  example  of  their  fathers 
in  the  faith,  and  their  fellow-believers  in  Catholic  lands,  to 


i.  1. 


:  w 


Hi 


,.„  i 


t.j. 


tine 


LIFE  Oi*'  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


,Ih 


contribute  to  raise  the  liunible  cathttlral  wiiich  ho  propoeed. 
lie  asketl  but  little — one  dollar  ,  yi-ar  for  four  ycarH  from 
the  head  of  each  Catholic  family — the  njoney  to  be  paid  in 
the  mouth  of  Decendwr.  They  were  aluo,  "  if  it  were  con- 
sistent with  their  sevend  Hituationw,"  aaked  to  take  un  interest 
in  the  Lottery  instituted  "  for  the  same  object."  His  pastorul 
alrto  called  u])ou  the  congregations  to  raiHe  an  annual  collec- 
tion of  at  least  live  dollars  from  the  poorest  church  to  meet 
the  expenses  of  the  Coadjutor  Bishop  in  making  visitations 
in  diflferent  parts  of  the  diocese,  iiu  8te[)H  having  yet  been 
adopted  to  give  the  bishop  in  this  country  an  income  for  his 
maintenance  and  necessary  expenses. 

At  Rome  the  Congregation  "  de  Propaganda  Fide"  had 
favored  the  appointment  of  a  coadjutor  to  Bishop  Carroll 
rather  than  the  division  of  the  diocese  of  Baltimore  and  the 
appointment  of  separate  bishops.  The  belief  was,  that  with 
a  coadjutor  residing  in  one  part  of  the  large  diocese  with 
powers  of  Vicar-General  from  Baltimore,  a  uniform  disci- 
pline and  ceremonial  could  l)e  obtained,  and  the  clergy  com- 
ing from  different  countries  and  of  different  education  could 
bo  mouIde<l  into  one  harmonious  body.  But  the  yours  lost 
in  forwarding  the  bulls  for  the  consecration  of  Bishop  Neale 
had  wrought  their  changes.  The  coadjutor  yielded  to  the 
influence  of  years  more  rapidly  than  Dr.  Carroll,  and  was 
less  able  to  travel  by  the  laborious  vehicles  and  roads  of  that 
day.  Bishop  Carroll  had  been  compelled  to  recall  him  from 
Philadelphia  and  mission  work  to  become  President  of 
Georgetown  College,  where  his  presence  seemed  essential,  as 
Dr.  Carroll  had  no  one  to  replace  him.  He  had,  too,  the 
spiritual  direction  of  the  religious  community  which  he 
founded.  At  this  time  he  was  no  longer  able  to  assume  the 
charge  of  a  large  tract  of  country  without  leaving  other 
duties  for  which  he  was  especially  fitted.     He  accordingly 


>-S 


'    ( 


\  ,£^ 


% 


.,    . 

M 

i 

i 

I 

^m 


Ij'FM  <> 


'.'■  CARROLL. 


conm-  •afhcdral  wliicli  he  propostHi. 

H.  I  nUir  a  year  for  I'uur  years  from 

Ui  ihniic  family — the  money  to  be  paid  i,ti 

th.r  « salKT,     Tliev  wort  al;Mx  "if  it  were  cuu- 

.  voral  situations,"  a«kfd  to  take  an  ijiterest 

;  .w-tiiureii  '•  I'.'- rht,  >;«ine  *ii'jrci."     Ilin  pjistofiil 

•i["''    ■'         HiiTt'jipatiouh  to  raise  an  mimiiil  eollec- 

-.•  ;i   it  at  ieiisi  nve  uoilarsfroin  the  poorest  ehureh  to  meet 

M*  espi'Tifiw  f-f  fhe  ('oiuljutor  Bishop  in  miiking  vi^-itiifions 

ri  difli"'- (it  p>iir-  t.f  tiic  dioeew?,  no  t-tep^  lia\in<>-  y'.    i  ■  t-n 

adopt«?d  to  give  the  bi!<ho}>  in  this  coniitry  an  iinnui"  for  ius 

niaint^Mnnce  and  necessary  cxjion^eB. 

At  IvMUio  the  Congregation  "  de  Propaganda  Fide"  hui 
favored  tlie  appointment  of  a  eoadjntor  to  Bishop  Carroll 
rather  than  the  division  of  the  dioo('>e  nf  Baltimore  aiul  the 
appf)intnient  of  sepmato  liishops.     The  belief  was,  that  with 


a  coadjutor  re'-iiHn'.' 


jiart  of  the  large  diix'ese  with 


pov^'-r,  lif  \'ii-,w(ten('i',ii  fr.-in  Baltimore,  a  unitunn  di-<ci- 
pline  and  ceremonial  conid  Ik'  nhtained,  and  the  clergy  i-om- 
ing  from  different  countries  and  of  different  edneation  could 
f)e  moulded  into  one  harmonious  Ix'  iv.  'F>nt  the  years  lost 
in  forwii  •'":.:  il^'-  l.iulls  for  tlu;  cun,  i  r:it!  'U  <<\  l>ifhi'[>  Ncde 
'id  wrought  tlieir  changes.  The  eondinior'  \  iVMed  to  the 
Jtuiuftnce  of  years  more  rapidly  than  Dr.  Carroil,  and  wiis 
k«8  »bt*;  to  travel  by  the  laliorious  vehicles  and  r<')ads  of  that 
d&j.  Bi?*i(t.p  Carroll  liad  been  ci>iiip«'11ed  to  rec-dl  luni  fmm 
I'hiladelphi.'i  and  mission  wi^ri^  l"  !i(-rT.|;i  •  I'M'-'xicnf  i.f 
(teorgetown  College,  wh(>rc  his  pn  .;  ■!  ..  >  'n^d  (--.lUial.  as 
Dr.  Carroll  had  n<«  o!  ■  ;.>  "place  him.  lie  had,  t.x;.  the 
spiritual  directioTi  of  li;.;  'cligi'ins  commumt',  \^!>i'li  he 
founded.  Ar  thi-  tune  he  was  no  longer  able  to  assume  the 
charge  oi  .i  iar^r  •  tract  of  c^ounlry  \>-it!iout  leaving  other 
duties  for  which  he  was  espfH'ially  litt<?d.     He  accordingly 


l.;,.,xA,.,,./rn     SETON 


;'4* 


A  CATHEDRAL  PROPOSED. 


685 


bless  their  good-will  and  desire  of  seeing  priests,  as  they  call 
them,  of  their  own." 

Father  Fenwick  soon  resigned  his  position  and  urged  the 
appointment  of  his  old  superior,  Father  Wilson,  a  learned, 
holy,  and  experienced  priest,  as  Provincial.  A  novitiate  was 
opened  in  1809,  and  the  province  acquired  a  permanent  place 
in  the  history  of  the  Church. 

Let  us  now  return  to  Bishop  Carroll's  episcopal  city. 
Up  to  this  time  Bishop  Carroll  had  used  as  his  pro-cathe- 
dral the  church  of  St.  Peter,  but  he  felt  that  he  ought  to 
undertake  the  erection  of  a  suitable  cathedral  church,  and 
that  if  he  hoped  to  see  it  completed,  the  work  should  be 
at  once  commenced.  He  had  in  a  pastoral  letter  in  1803 
called  on  the  faithful  of  his  diocese  to  aid  in  the  great  work. 
"  Having  long  entertained,"  says  the  founder  of  our  hier- 
archy, "  an  anxious  desire  of  dedicating  a  church  to  God,  to 
be  erected  by  the  united  efforts  of  all  our  brethren  in  this 
diocese,  to  stand  as  the  evidence  of  their  attachment  to  the 
unity  of  episcopal  government,  as  well  as  of  their  unity  in 
faith  (for  these  are  inseparable),  and  being  n  '-^  sensible  by 
my  descent  in  the  vale  of  years,  that  I  ongli.  ;■  -  to  expect 
to  see  this  work  accomplished  unless  it  be  soon  undertaken, 
I  am  induced  to  recur  to,  and  intreat  you  by  your  attachment 
to  the  interests  of  our  holy  religion  and  affection  for  its 
Author,  and  the  object  of  its  worship,  Jesus  Christ,  to  lend 
your  aid  toward  carrying  this  design  into  effect." 

In  view  of  the  sacrifices  necessary  in  many  parts  where 
churches  had  to  be  erected,  and  the  necessity  of  securing  a 
maintenance  for  their  pastor,  the  good  Bishop  did  not  antici- 
pate great  contributions  from  those  living  at  a  distance  from 
the  seat  of  the  intended  cathedral,  but  he  called  on  the  more 
prosperous  members  to  emulate  the  example  of  their  fathers 
in  the  faith,  and  their  fellow-believers  in  Catholic  lands,  to 


f-  ' 


636 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


contribute  to  raise  the  humble  cathedral  which  he  proposed. 
He  asked  but  little— one  dollar  a  year  for  four  years  from 
the  head  of  each  Catholic  family— the  money  to  be  paid  in 
the  month  of  December.  They  were  also,  "  if  it  were  con- 
sistent with  their  several  situations,"  asked  to  take  an  interest 
in  the  Lottery  instituted  "  for  the  same  object."  His  pastoral 
also  called  upon  the  congregations  to  raise  an  annual  collec- 
tion of  at  least  five  dollars  from  the  poorest  church  to  meet 
the  expenses  of  the  Coadjutor  Bishop  in  making  visitations 
in  different  parts  of  the  diocese,  no  steps  having  yet  teen 
adopted  to  give  the  bishop  in  this  country  an  income  for  his 
maintenance  and  necessary  expenses. 

At  Rome  the  Congregation  "  de  Propaganda  Fide"  had 
favored  the  appointment  of  a  coadjutor  to  Bishop  Carroll 
rather  than  the  division  of  the  diocese  of  Baltimore  and  the 
appointment  of  separate  bishops.     The  belief  was,  that  with    ^ 
a  coadjutor  residing  in  one  part  of  the  large  diocese  with 
powers  of  Vicar-General  from  Baltimore,  a  uniform  disci- 
pline and  ceremonial  could  be  obtained,  and  the  clergy  com- 
ing from  different  countries  and  of  different  education  could 
be  moulded  into  one  harmonious  body.    But  the  yeai-s  lost 
in  forwarding  the  bulls  for  the  consecration  of  Bishop  Neale 
had  wrought  their  changes.     The  coadjutor  yielded  to  the 
influence  of  years  more  rapidly  than  Dr.  Carroll,  and  was 
less  able  to  travel  by  the  lalwrious  vehicles  and  roads  of  that 
day.     Bishop  Carroll  had  b-on  compelled  to  recall  him  from 
Philadelphia    and    mission   work   to  tecome   President  of 
Georgetown  College,  where  his  presence  seemed  essential,  as 
Dr.  Carroll  had  no  one  to  replace  him.     He  had,  too,  the 
spiritujil   direction  of  the   religious  community  which  he 
founded.     At  this  time  he  was  no  l«inger  able  to  assume  the^ 
charge  of  a  large  tract  of  country  without  leaving  other' 
duties  for  which  he  was  especially  titte<l.     He  accordingly 


F.   THOMAS  DIQOES. 


637 


remained  at  Georgetown,  and  Biehop  Carroll,  on  the  eleva- 
tion of  Pope  Piu8  VII.  to  the  Chair  or  Peter,  urged  Mgr. 
Brocadero,  the  Prefect  of  the  Propaganda,  to  take  measures 
to  have  other  episcopal  sees  erected  in  the  United  States.' 
He  wrote  also  to  Cardinal  Borgia,  who,  in  reply,  expressed 
the  opinion  that  one  additional  episcopal  see  would  not  suflSce 
for  the  interests  of  religion  in  the  United  States,  as  the  coun- 
try was  very  extensive,  and  the  Indians  had  been  driven  be- 
yond the  Mississippi  and  the  Lakes.    He  asked  Bishop  Carroll 
to  forward  to  Kome  information  as  to  the  places  where  epis- 
copal sees  could  be  judiciously  erected,  and  the  limits  to  be 
assigned  to  each  diocese.    He  requested  also  to  know  how  the 
new  bishops  could  be  supported,  whence  they  could  obtain 
priests  to  aid  the  bishops,  perform  parochial  functions,  and 
labor  among  the  Indians,  "whose  conversion,"   he  adds, 
*'  should  be  an  object  of  sohcitude." 

Bishop  Carroll  was  furthermore  requested  to  name  clergy- 
men who  were  worthy  to  be  invested  with  the  episcopal 
character.*  It  was  not,  however,  till  nearly  five  years  later 
that  steps  were  actually  taken  to  put  this  project  in  execution. 
In  the  summer  of  1804  Bishop  Carroll  went  to  spend  a 
month  near  the  city  of  "Washington,  and  on  the  way  called  to 
see  the  venerable  Dean  of  the  English  pro\'ince  of  the  Society  of 
Jesus,  Father  Thomas  Digges.  This  American  priest  was  born 
in  Maryland,  January  5,  1711,  and  was  consequently  at  this 
time  mnrp  tlior.  ^;.>"*-  ^' 


•      1    ,..i.r..  ■);'.S  is  incorrect.     Please 

,,„.  ,,,,,.,  „.,w  *"t,  «.tl.  l.a,t.  ^^^^^^  ^.^^|,^, 

,1,.  ,.l»,-c-  .•t<l'-  *"■""■'■  '"W*^^'-      "  ,1.  ,;.  S,.K«. 


i    * 


I": 


536  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

v ontribute  to  raise  tl.e  humble  cathedral  which  he  proposed. 
He  asked  but  little— one  dollar  a  year  for  four  years  from 
the  head  of  each  Catholic  family— the  money  to  be  paid  in 
the  month  of  Deccsaber.  They  were  also,  "  if  it  w«re  mu- 
fiistent  with  their  su-.-eral  situations,"  asked  to  tak  i  lui  iuteif'st 
in  the  Lottrrv  instiWited  "  for  the  same  object."  His  piu^toral 
also  called  upon  the  congregations  to  raise  an  annual  collec- 
tion of  at  least  five  dollars  from  the  pooiost  churcl-  to  meet 
the  expenses  of  the  C-adjutor  Bivi!iop  in  making  visitations 
in  different  parts  of  tii.  diocesv-.  a.  steps  having  yet  been 
adopted  to  give  the  bishop  in  this  country  an  income  tor  his 
maintenance  and  necessary  expenses. 

At  Rome  the  Congregation  "  de  Proptgaixk  Fide"  hnu 
fa  ..fed  the  appointment  of  a  coadjutor  to  Bishop  Carroll 
ratL-^^  tlia  i  tlie  divifion  of  the  diocese  of  Baltimore  and  the 
appoiL.tn»<uit  of  s<jparate  bishops.     The  belief  was,  that  with 
a  coac'r-S-T  resiaing  in  one  part  of  the  lar:je  diocese  with 
powen/  of  Yicar  General  from  Baltimore,  a  uniform  disci- 
pline and  ceremonial  could  be  obtained,  and  the  clergy  com- 
ing from  different  countries  and  of  different  education  could 
be  moulded  into  one  harmonious  body.     But  the  years  lost 
in  forwarding  the  bulls  for  the  consecration  of  Bishop  Neale 
had  wrought  their  changes.     The  coadjutor  yielded  to  the 
influence  of  years  more  rapidly  than  Dr.  Carroll,  and  was 
leiw  able  to  travel  by  the  laborious  vehicles  and  roads  of  that 

"   J  i.„  „„«„ii  iiiit)  from 


F.  THOMAS  DIOOES. 


637 


remained  at  Georgetown,  and  Bisliop  Carroll,  on  the  eleva- 
tion of  Pope  Pius  VII.  to  the  Chair  of  Peter,  urged  Mgr. 
Brocadero,  the  Prefect  of  th*^  Propaganda,  to  take  measures 
to  have  other  episcopal  sees  erected  in  the  United  States.' 
He  wrote  also  to  Cardinal  Borgia,  who,  in  reply,  expressed 
the  opinion  that  one  additional  episcopal  see  would  not  suffice 
for  the  interests  of  religion  in  the  United  States,  as  the  coun- 
try was  very  extensive,  and  the  Indians  had  been  driven  be- 
yond the  Mississippi  and  the  Lakes.  He  asked  Bishop  Carroll 
to  forward  to  Rome  information  as  to  the  places  where  epis- 
<:opal  sees  could  be  judiciously  erected,  and  the  Kmits  to  be 
assigned  to  each  diocese.  He  requested  also  to  know  how  the 
new  bishops  could  be  supported,  whence  they  could  obtain 
priests  to  aid  the  bishops,  pei-form  parochial  functions,  and 
labor  among  the  Indian-},  "  whose  conversion,"  he  adds, 
*'  should  be  an  object  of  solicitude." 

Bishop  Carroll  was  furthermore  requested  to  name  clergy- 
men who  were  worthy  to  be  invested  with  the  episcopal 
character.'  It  was  not,  however,  till  nearly  five  years  later 
that  steps  were  actually  taken  to  put  this  project  in  execution. 

In  the  summer  of  1804  Bishop  Carroll  went  to  spend  a 
month  near  the  city  of  Washington,  and  on  the  way  called  to 
see  the  venerable  Pean  of  the  English  province  of  the  Society  of 
Jesus,  Father  Thomas  Digges.  This  American  priest  was  born 
in  Maryland,  January  5,  1711,  and  was  consequently  at  this 
time  more  than  ninety-th  -e  years  of  age.  He  entered  the  So- 
ciety in  1729,  and  took  the  four  vows  of  a  professed  Father,  Feb- 
ruary 2,  1747.  "Wlien  Bishop  Ca-roU  ^^8ited  him,  his  health 
was  g<x>d,  but  he  was  almost  blind,  and  his  memory  was  far 
gone,  yet  tolerably  accurate  as  to  past  transactions.     He  was 

'  Bishop  Carroll  to  Mgr.  Brocadero,  February  10, 1802. 
'  Cardinal  Borgia  to  Bishop  Carroll,  June  26,  1802,  in  reply  tn  the 
Bishop's  letter  of  February  10. 
23* 


iM  :..  i 


^'^^1 


538  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

cheerful  and  loved  to  sit  in  company,  and  delighted  to  con- 
verse of  the  eminent  Fathers  of  former  days  whom  he  had 
known.     He  died  on  the  18th  of  February,  in  the  following 

year,  1804.' 

The  Church  in  New  York  progressed  under  the  care  of 
the  zealous  and  able  Father  William  O'Brien,  O.P.,  who 
sicriialized  his  zeal  during  the  yellow  fever  which  desolated 
tire  city  in  1795  and  1798.  The  free  school  established  at 
St.  Peter's  in  1800  was  soon  well  filled  and  did  much  good. 

Meanwhile  God  was  preparing  one  there  who  was  to  ex- 
ercise a  great  influence  in  the  Church  in  the  United  States. 
Mrs.  Eliza  A.  Seton,  wife  of  one  of  the  leading  merchants  in 
New  York,  and  daughter  of  the  famous  physician,  Richard 
Bay  ley,  accompanied  her  husband  to  Italy,  which  he  visited 
to  restore  his  shattered  health,  but  found  there  only  a  grave. 
Mrs.  Seton,  whose  mind  had  been  far  from  satisfied  with  the 
doctrines  and  system  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  in  which  she 
had  been  nurtured,  was  deeply  impressed  by  the  Catholic 
faith.     On  her  return  she  consulted  Bishop  Ilobart,  but  he 
could   not   reassure  her.     After  long  examination,  prayer, 
and  counsel,  she  was  received  into  the  true  fold  at  St.  Peter's 
Church,  New  York,  on  the  25th  of  March,  1805,  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Matthew  O'Brien.     She  found  herself  at  once  isolated 
and  shunned  by  her  relatives  and  friends.     A  widow  with  a 
dependent  family,  she  bravely  undertook  a  school,  but  en- 
countered many  difficulties.' 

The  next  year,  the  holy  season  of  Christmas  showed  the 
old  prevailing  distrust  of  Catholics.  On  the  eve  of  'le  fes- 
tival a  mob  endeavored  to  force  an  entrance  into  the  church. 


'  Bishop  Carroll  to  F.  William  Strickland.  August  4.  1804 ;  Foley. 
..  Rt-oonls  ot  the  English  Provinc.'."  London.  1882.  vii.,  p.  203  ;  Roche- 
foucauld Liancourt.  "Voyage  dans  k^  Etats  Unis."  vl..  p.  112. 

«  White,  '•  Life  of  Mrs.  Seton,"  New  York,  1858. 


' 


F.   THOMAS  DIOQES. 


587 


remained  at  Georgetown,  and  Bisliop  Carroll,  on  the  eleva- 
tion of  Pope  Pius  VII.  to  the  Chair  of  Peter,  urged  Mgr. 
Brocadero,  the  Prefect  of  the  Propaganda,  to  take  measures 
to  have  other  episcopal  sees  erected  in  the  United  Sfates.' 
He  wrote  also  to  Cardinal  Borgia,  who,  in  reply,  expressed 
the  opinion  that  one  additional  episcopal  see  would  not  sutiice 
for  the  interests  of  religion  in  the  United  States,  as  the  coun- 
try was  very  extensive,  and  the  Indians  had  been  driven  be- 
yond the  Mississippi  and  the  Lakes.    He  asked  Bishop  Carroll 
to  forward  to  Rome  information  as  to  the  places  where  epis- 
copal sees  could  be  judiciously  erected,  and  the  limits  to  be 
assigned  to  each  diocese.     He  requested  also  to  know  how  the 
new  bishops  could  be  supported,  whence  they  could  obtain 
priests  to  aid  the  bishops,  perform  parochial  functions,  and 
labor  amcmg  the  Indians,  "  whose  conversion,"   he  adds, 
"  should  be  an  object  of  sohcitude." 

Bishop  Carroll  was  furthermore  requested  to  name  clergy- 
men who  were  worthy  to  be  invested  with  the  episcopal 
character.'     It  was  not,  however,  till  nearly  iive  years  later 
that  steps  were  actually  taken  to  put  this  project  in  execution. 
In  the  summer  of  1804-  Bishop  Carroll  went  to  spend  a 
month  near  the  city  of  AVashington,  and  on  the  way  called  to 
see  the  venerable  Dean  of  the  English  provnnce  of  the  Society  of 
Jesus,  Father  Thomas  Digges.   This  American  priest  was  born 
in  Maryland,  January  5,  1711,  and  was  consequently  at  this 
time  more  than  nii\ety -three  years  of  age.    He  entered  the  So- 
ciety in  1729,  and  took  the  four  vowsof  a  professed  Father,  Feb- 
ruary 2,  1747.     When  Bishop  Carroll  visited  him,  his  health 
was  good,  but  he  was  almost  blind,  and  his  memory  was  far 
gone,  yet  tolerably  accurate  as  to  past  transactions.     He  was 


» I 


1      i 


•'  .M 


'  '  I 


;     ."     /  j 


n 

-  I'll 


f;,: 


'  Bishop  Carroll  to  Mgr.  Brocndero,  February  10, 1802. 
»  Cardiniil  Borgia  to  Bisliop  C:arroll,  June  26,  1802,  in  reply  to  the 
Bishop's  letter  of  February  10. 
23* 


i;.! 
ii' 

i' 


TT   r ' 


£88  I^I^^  0^  AliCHJ  ISHOP  CARROLL. 

cheerful  and  love<l  to  sit  in  company,  and  delighted  to  convei-»e 
of  the  eniintMit  Fathers  of  former  days  whom  ho  had  known. 
He  died  on  the  18th  of  February,  in  the  fallowing  year,  1804.' 
In  the  nieanh'nio  tlie  ITnited  States  had  accjuired  by  pur 
chase  the  ru^-inoe  of  Louisiana,  whicli  had  been  ceded  to 
Spain  l.\  Fr«n..  i.i  1  r63,  and  had  recently  been  transferred 
once  iiiort!  to  France,  but  not  actually  restored  to  the  French 
flag.  The  Directory  sent  over  Mr.  LiuHSiit,  who  receivisd  the 
territt)ry  from  Spain,  on  the  30th  day  of  Kovember,  lS(»3, 
and  wlio  twenty  days  afterward  uluced  the  American  com- 
missioner in  possession  'if  U»e  coui.iry. 

Bishop  Carroll  intuitively  saw  in  that  disturbed  province  a 
terrible  burthen  menacing  him.  He  felt  that  as  Louisiana 
had  become  part  of  the  United  States,  the  Holy  See  would, 
at  letist,  while  political  affairs  were  still  warmly  discussed, 
place  I^uisiana  and  the  Floridas  under  his  care. 

Although  Bishop  Carroll  wrote  to  implore  earnestly  that 
this  additional  burthen  should  not  be  imp.)sed  on  his  declin- 
ing vears,  a  rescript  was  issued  by  the  Sovereign  Pontiff, 
Pius  VII.,  on  the  tirst  day  of  September,  1805,  constituting 
Bisliop  Carroll  Administrator-Ai)ostolic  of  the  diocese  of 
Louisiana  and  the  Floridas,  with  power  to  delegate  Lie  iK)wer 
to  a  Vicar-(ieneral.' 

Some  notice  of  the  condition  of  religion  in  that  province 
from  the  time  of  its  cession  to  Spain,  is  necessary  to  uudei 
stand  its  actual  religious  condition. 


.» ■ 


.  Bishop  Carroll  to  F.  Willie  '  Siricklaud.  August  4.  1804  ;  Foley. 
<•  Record  .  1  the  Euylish  Prov  ,.."  Londo:  ,  18«3,  vii..  p.  V\»  ;  Uocbu- 
foucauld  Lii.ncourt.  "  VoyaRi    .    .s  \e»  Etai    Unis,"  vi.,  p.  112. 

'  Rev   R   L>Jke  ("oncanen  to  Hishoi)  Carroll.  .January  ;io,  180(1,  me: 
tions  that  he  l.nd  forwarded  the  packet  extendiiij;  hi«  jurisdicUou  over 
Louisiaua  a-  .  Fi.  rida  on  the  2Ht' ,  of  September. 


affltaj; 


ml 


LOUIS  >       M. 


539 


Wood  was  shed  l»efore  the  riot  .6  appeased.'  The  church 
was  gaining,  however;  the  ilev.  Mr.  Sibourd  and  otlier 
priests  aided  Father  O'Brien  in  his  labors. 

In  the  meantime  the  United  States  had  acquired  by  pur- 
chase the  province  of  Louisiana,  which  had  been  ceded  to 
Spain  by  France  in  17<53,  and  had  recently  been  transferred 
onco  more  to  France,  but  not  actually  restored  to  the  French 
flni'.  The  Directory  sent  over  Mr.  Launsat,  who  received  the 
territory  from  Spain,  on  the  30th  day  of  Novend)er,  1803, 
and  who  twenty  days  afterward  placed  the  American  com- 
missioner in  possession  of  the  country. 

Bishop  Carroll  intuitively  saw  in  tliat  disturbed  province  a 
terrible  burthen  menacing  him.  lie  felt  that  as  Louisiana 
had  become  part  of  the  United  States,  the  Holy  See  would, 
at  least,  while  political  affairs  were  still  warndy  discussed, 
place  Louisiana  and  the  '     -ridas  under  his  care. 

Although  Bishop  Carroll  wrote  to  implore  earnestly  that 
th;  additional  burthen  should  not  be  imposed  on  his  declin- 
ing years,  a  rescript  was  issued  by  the  Sovereign  Pontiff, 
Pius  VII.,  on  the  first  day  of  September,  1805,  constituting 
Bishop  Carroll  Administrator-Apostolic  of  the  diocese  of 
Louisiana  and  the  Floridas,  with  power  to  delegate  his  author- 
it    to  a  Vicar-General.' 

Some  notice  of  the  condition  of  religion  in  that  province, 
from  the  time  of  its  cession  to  Spain,  is  necessary  to  under- 
' 'nd  it    actual  religious  condition. 


„n         'A  Brief  Sketch  of  the  Early  History  of  tlie  Catholic  Church 
on  th.    .    '>nd  of  New  York."  New  York,  1853,  pp.  r.0-2  ;  New  York 
•   Kvcning  i'ost,"  Dec.  26. 1806;  Otter,  "History  of  My  Own  Times. 
J.iiimitt8lmrg.  183.5.  p.  82. 

'  Rev.  R.  Luke  Concanen  to  Bishop  Carroll.  January  30,  1806.  men- 
tions that  he  had  for«^  '-(l  the  packet  extending  his  jurisdiction  over 
Louisiana  and  Florida  on     le  28th  of  Septemher. 


1,1 


'    I'i 


\  i 


Jl 


' .  ;d 


^ 


CHAPTER  III. 


i 


niK  cnrRon  in  U)CI8Iana  1763-1793. — the  nienop  op  ban- 

TIACK)  in         HA.  —  KT.  KEV.  CYKIL  DK  UAKCKLONA,  ACXII.IAK. 

mOCKSK   OF    LOUISIANA    AN!)    TIIK    FLOKIDAS.  —  RT.    KKV. 

LCI8  PKSALVKR  V  CAKDKNAH  17UH-18(I3.  -V.  RKVH.  THOM- 
AS HASHKrr  AND  PATRICK  WAI.HH,  ADMINISTliATORH  iMUIJ- 
l!SO<).— RT.  RKV.  JOHN  CARROLL  APPOINTED  ADMINISTRA- 
TOR-APOSTOLIC. 

WnKN  France  ceded  to  Eiifjlaiul  Canada  and  the  North- 
west territory,  she  felttliat  she  could  not  long  hold  Louisiana, 
and  accordingly  by  a  secret  treaty  conveved  that  pntvince  to 
Spain.  Announcing  the  cession  to  (Jovernor  d'Ahadic, 
Louifl  XV.  wroft-:  "In  ctMiseijuence  of  the  friendship  and 
aflfection  of  his  Catholic  Majesty  I  trust  that  he  will  give 
orders  to  iiis  Governor  and  all  other  ofticers  employed  in  his 
s<»rvice,  in  said  colony  and  city  of  New-Orleans,  to  continue 
in  their  functions  the  ecclesiastics  and  religious  houses  in 
charge  of  the  |)arishe8  and  missions,  as  well  as  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  rights,  privileges,  and  exemptions  granted  to 
them  by  their  original  titles.'' 

The  Capuchin  Fathers  accordingly  continued  their  usual 
functions  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  SpaJiish  authorities. 
The  Catholic  monarch  seemed,  however,  in  no  liuste  to  take 
}X)S8ession  of  a  province  thus  thrust  upon  him ;  it  was  not 
till  the  5th  of  March,  17tU!,  tlmt  Don  Antonio  de  Ulloa 
arrived  at  New  Orleans  with  eighty  soldiers  and  three  Capu- 
chin Fathers.  No  transfer  of  the  province  was  made,  how- 
ever, nor  did  Ulloa  take  possession  or  proclaim  his  coinmi»- 
(640) 


LOUISIANA. 


641 


wion  08  governor.  The  liiigH  of  Spuin  and  France  were  both 
8uen  in  different  purtH.  IJlloii,  however,  wuh  gradiudly  in- 
troducing Spaninh  rule  through  Auhry,  the  French  governor, 
and  excited  such  hostility  that  in  October,  17<i8,  he  was 
driven  from  LouiHiana  by  a  decree  of  the  Superior  Council.' 
It  wa«  not  till  the  18th  of  the  following  Augurit,  that  Gov- 
ernor Aubry  delivered  up  the  proviiuic  to  Alexander  O'Keilly, 
who  had  landed  at  New  (Orleans  with  a  force  of  three  thou- 

Bund  men. 

Lafreniere  and  other  members  of  the  Superior  Council, 
and  Houje  who  had  taken  part  in  the  expulmonof  Ulloa,  were 
arrested  and  tried  by  court-martial.  On  the  2.")th  of  Octo- 
l)er,  170y,  I^frenitire,  Noyan,  Caresse,  and  Milhet  were  shot 
in  the  yard  of  the  barracks  ;  six  others  were  sent  in  irons  to 
Havana.  Such  was  the  end  of  Lafreniere,  the  instigator  and 
main  actor  in  the  impious  work  of  levelling  churches  at  the 
time  of  the  expulsion  of  the  Jesuits.' 

Of  the  clergy  during  these  days  of  trouble  we  hear  little, 
although  the  Capuchin  Father  in  charge  of  the  i>arish  «)f  the 
Cote  des  Allemands  is  accused  of  having  been  active  in  ex- 
citing the  people  against  the  Spaniards.' 

While  Aubry  was  still  acting  as  governor  an  attempt  was 


'  Decree  of  the  Superior  Council.    "  LouiHianu  Historical  Collections," 
v.,  p.  164. 

•'  '•  Louisiiinii  Historical  Collections,"  v..  p.  144.  "  Menioire  des  Habi- 
tans  et  Nej^ocians  de  la  liouisianne  sur  rfivcneniciil  du  29  <.)ctol)re,  1708." 
New  Orleans,  Denis  Brand,  17«8,  p.  3.  Brand  was  the  tlrst  Louisiana 
printer,  authorized  by  the  French  OovtTnment  in  17«4.  All  copies  of 
the  Menioire  that  co\dd  be  found  were  seized  and  burnt  by  O'Ueilly. 
Brand  wits  put  on  trial  lis  the  printer,  but  escaped  by  provinjr  that  he 
acted  under  the  orders  of  the  Coniinissairc  Ordonnateur.  My  copy  is 
evidently  that  u.sed  on  his  trial,  havins:  the  tcstimon-.  endorsed  that  saviKi 
his  life.     OayarrC',  "  Histoire,"  iii.,  pp.  21-2. 

«  Ouyarre,  "  Histoire  de  la  Louisiane."  New  Orleans.  184G,  ii.,  pp.  104, 
345-9. 


'-•(r' 


1 1- 1, 


(     'M 


,  'f 


■:1M 


.  '  1  < 


iijil 


54a 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


made  to  build  a  parish  church,  and  a  hospital  and  orphan 
asylum  were  opened.' 

In  1766  the  Superior  Council,  which  assumed  supreme 
power,  civil  and  ecclesiastical,  expelled  from  the  province 
Father  Hilaire  de  Gcnuvaux  and  made  a  corrupt  and  ignorant 
friar,  Dagobert,  Superior.' 

It  wsis  during  this  chaotic  state  of  affairs  that  Louisiana 
received  several  bands  of  Acadians,  who  escaping  from  the 
English  colonies  had  reached  St.  Domingo,  but  found  that 
island  fatal  to  their  health  and  ill-adapted  for  settlement.* 

While  scattered  through  the  British  colonies  on  the  At- 
lantic seaboard,  they  had  except  in  Pennsylvania  and  Mary- 
land been  de])rived  of  priests;  but  the  Bisliops  of  Queljcc 
were  not  indilVorent  to  their  welfare.  They  api)c)inte(l  laymen 
in  each  b"'id  of  the  exiles  with  whom  they  could  comnmni- 
cate,  to  w.iom  they  gave  authority  to  dispense  with  publica- 
tion of  banns,  and  to  receive  the  nmtual  consent  of  marriage, 
so  that  these  Catholics  would  not  be  compelled  to  go  before 
Protestant  magistrates.  Private  baptism  was  also  given  by 
those  tliiis  selected.* 

After  taking  jwssession,  O'Reilly  reorganized  the  proviju-e 
on  the  Spanish  model,  and  gave  the  form  of  oath  to  be  taken 
by  all  officials.  It  began  in  a  form  which  will  seem  strange 
to  many,  but  which  shows  that  the  doctrine  defined  by  Pope 
Pius  IX.  in  our  days  was  officially  recognized  in  the  Spanish 


'  Cljiunpiiriiy,  "Memoir,"  "  Lii.  Hist.  Coll  ,"  v.,  pp.  180-1. 

'  r.iiyarn',  "  Ilistor}- of  Louisiiiim,  Spaiiisli  Domination,"  Now  York, 
lHr>-t,  p.  W.  Tliis  Uiifntfd  author  cloaks  iiiulcr  a  style  of  liantcr  the  in- 
famous life  ami  terrible  lu-Kleci  of  duty  in  Father  l)an;oberl. 

5  The  Hrst  (letaelmient,  93  in  all,  arrived  in  February,  1765.  (Gayarre, 
ii.,  p.  127.)  Hy  -May,  when  48  familie.s  arrived.  the.>ie  inunitjrants  num- 
l)i-red4«3.     (lb.,  p.  I'W.) 

*  I)is|H'nsati(MiH  were  alw)  K'*'*'"  in  certain  cases.  See  Note  of  Edinond 
Mallet.  "U.  B.  Cath.  Hist.  Mag.,  '  i,,  pp.  ll:J-ia. 


F.  CYRIL  DE  BARCELONA,  V.G. 


543 


nd  orphan 

i  supreme 
3  province 
id  ignorant 

Louisiatsa 
;  from  the 
found  that 
ement/ 
on  the  At- 
and  Mary- 
of  Quebec 
ted  laymen 
I  connnuni- 
ith  puhlica- 
if  nuirriage, 
o  go  before 
;o  given  by 

lie  province 
to  be  taken 
^ein  strange 
ed  l)y  Pope 
the  Spanit-h 

-1. 

,"  New  York, 
baiitiT  the  iii- 
t. 

55.  (Oiiyarn', 
nigriiijt.s  nil  111- 

)te  of  Edinond 


dominions.      "I,  appointed  ,  swear  before  God. 

on  the  holy  Cross  and  the  Evangelists,  to  maintain  and  de- 
fend the  mystery  of  the  Iimnaculate  Conception  of  our  Lady 
the  Virgin  Mary." ' 

An  abridgment  of  the  Spanish  laws  was  prepared  and 
issued  in  French,  but  Spanish  was  made  the  official  language 
for  all  public  acts. 

In  1772  the  Right  Rev.  James  Joseph  de  Echeverria, 
T^ishop  of  Santiago  de  Cuba,  sent  the  Capuchin  Fray  Cyril 
de  Barcelona  to  New  Orleans  with  four  Spanish  Fathers  of 
the  same  order,  Francisco,  Angel  de  Revillagudos,  Louis  de 
(^uiutanilla,  and  Aleman.  They  arrived  in  the  capital  of 
Louisiana  on  the  19th  of  July,  and  were  well  received  by  the 
Spanish  authorities.  Fathers  Aleman  and  Angel  were  at 
once  stationed  in  parishes  that  recpiired  pastors.' 

Father  Cyril  was  a  religious  faithful  to  his  rule  and  to  his 
priestly  duties.     The  French  Fathers  of  his  order  who  had 
remained  in  Louisiana,  after  the  cession  of  the  province,  still 
held  the  parish  church  of   New  Orleans,  Father  Dagol)ei-t 
claiming  to  i)e  Superior  and  parish  priest ;  but  these  Capu- 
chins, who  had  long  thrown  otf  all  allegiance  to  bishop  or  su- 
])erior,  led  lives  that  were  a  public  scandal.     As  a  natural 
eonse(pience    religious    duties   were   everywhere  neglected. 
Few  men  approached  the  sacraments  even  at  Easter;   de- 
bauchery prevailed ;  the  baptism  of  children  was  long  de- 
ferred, and  performed  with  little  regard  to  the  ritual ;  negroes 
were  not  instructed,  and  did  not  receive  the  sacraments  even 
whe!i  dying.     Sermons  to  adults  and  instructions  for  the 
young  were  equally  unknown. 

Yet  Father  Dagobert  had  the  effrontery  to  write  to  the 

'  C.nyiirre,  "  History  of  Louisiana,  Spanisli  Domination,"  New  York, 
\KA,  p.  7. 
■'  Father  Cyrillo  de  Barcelona  to  Bisliop  Echeverria,  August  5,  1773. 


,( 


JlviiJ 


•  ♦■■■■ 


044 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Bishop,  making  great  profession  of  piety  and  zeal ;  asking  to 
be  appointed  Vicar-General.' 

Fatlier  Cyril  set  to  work  to  remedy  abuses  as  %vell  as  he 
could,  till  some  one  arrived  with  authority  to  banish  the  un- 
worthy priests.  lie  took  steps  to  have  Catechisms  and  Ritu- 
als printed  with  French  and  Spanish  text.' 

He  soon  found,  however,  that  any  change  for  the  better 
or  any  reformation  wiis  almost  impossible.  The  people  had 
been  industriously  filled  with  prejudices  agiiinst  the  Spanish 
clergy,  and  e8iK)U6ed  the  cause  of  the  unworthy  and  shame- 
less Dagobert  and  his  associates  to  such  an  extent,  that  even 
the  Spanish  Governor,  Unzaga,  wrote  to  the  Bishop  of  Santi- 
ago de  Cuiia  to  remonstrate  against  any  effort  to  remedy  the 
condition  of  affairs.  He  was  more  anxious  to  maintain  Span- 
ish supremacy  than  Christian  morahty. 

It  was  not  till  this  visit  of  Father  Cyril  of  Barcelona  that 
any  provision  was  nuide  for  the  religious  needs  of  the  Catho- 
lics on  the  Upper  Mississippi,  their  salvation  having  been  of 
little  conceni  to  the  wretched  re])resentatives  of  the  church 
at  New  Orleans,  who  seem  to  have  abandoned  nearly  all  the 
nn's,sions  outside  of  that  city. 

In  1772  Father  Valentine,  a  Cajiuchin,  was  stationed  at 
St.  Louis,  where  there  was  a  little  wooden  cliajwl,  blessed  in 
1770  by  the  zealous  Canadian  priest  Pierre  Gibault,  who  at- 
tended the  Catholics  <if  that  place  from  his  home  in  Illinois. 
The  records  of  the  church  show  Father  Valentine  ministering 
in  St.  I/)uiH  from  1772  to  I77r>.  During  his  administration 
he  blessed  a  bell  in  1774  for  use  in  the  chapel,  and  he  took 
Bteps  in  the  sjune  year  to  s^'cure  the  erection  of  a  more  suit- 
able oditice  for  the  worship  of  Almighty  God. 


'  Katlicr  Cyrillo  de  Riircclonii  to  Hishd))  E<h<'vi'rria,  S<'pteiuber  15, 
177'.'  ;  FiiiluT  Dairi'lHTt  to  «;.iik',  StptcinlHT  'J2,  1172. 
*  Same  to  wimc,  XovenilxT  14,  1772. 


L. 

1 ;  asking  to 

3  well  as  he 
nish  the  un- 
[18  and  llitu- 

r  the  better 
i  people  had 
the  Spanish 
and  eluune- 
it,  that  even 
I  op  of  Saiiti- 
roniedy  the 
lintain  Span- 

ircelona  that 
if  the  Catho- 
\\\\^  been  of 
the  church 
earlj'  all  the 

stationed  at 
(1,  blessed  in 
iinit,  w1k>  at- 
e  in  Illinois. 
!  ininistcriiifr 
lininistrati(tn 
and  he  to(»k 
a  more  suit- 

S<'pteiuber  15, 


ST.  LOUIS. 


645 


The  second  church  of  St.  Louis  was  a  wooden  structure 
sixty  feet  in  length,  and  half  that  measure  in  width.  A  ve- 
randa five  feet  wide  ran  around  the  whole  edifice.  It  was  not 
a  very  imposing  structure,  but  the  population  was  small,  not 
exceeding  two  hundred  probably,  and  they  did  not  complete 
the  building  till  the  summer  sun  of  1770,  that  witnessed  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  at  Philadelphia,  reached  the 
Spanish  village  beyond  the  great  river  of  the  AVest.  In  that 
year  Father  Bernard  was  appointed  parish  priest  of  St.  Louis.' 

In  1773  Father  Hilary,  apparently  the  one  who  had  strug- 
gled with  Father  Dagobert  for  supremacy  at  New  Orleans, 
was  stationed  by  Father  Cyril,  the  Vicar-General,  at  St.  Gene- 
vieve, which  was  attended  first  by  the  Jesuit  Fathers  Wattrin, 
Salleneuve,  and  Lamorinie,  till  the  authorities  at  New  Orleans 
tore  them  away,  then  by  Meurin,  and  lastly  by  the  stout  priest 
of  the  West,  Rev.  Peter  Gibault.  Father  Hilary  buried  his 
ambition  in  this  remote  parish  till  1777,  when  he  left  it  once 
more  to  the  care  of  Gibault.  The  first  church  was  erected 
on  the  original  site  of  the  village,  "  Le  gra^d  champ,"  a  beau- 
tiful prairie  three  miles  south  of  the  present  city,  and  when 
that  location  was  abandoned  in  1785  in  consequence  of  a  dev- 
astating inuntlation  of  the  mighty  river,  the  church  was  re- 
moved to  the  present  town.' 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Gibault  relinquished  the  care  of  St.  Gene- 
vieve to  Rev.  Louis  Guignes,  whose  name  appears  from  1786 
to  1789,  when  the  Carmehte  Father  Paul  de  St.  Pierre  took 

charge.* 

Father  Cyril  placed  the  Capuchin  Father  Luis  de  Quinta- 

'  Rev.  D.  J.  Doherty,  "  Address  -n  the  Centenary  of  the  Cathedral 
Church  of  8t.  Louis,  Mo.,"  St.  Loui.-*,  ISlo,  p.  6. 

Mlozier,  "An  Addnw— l.Wth  Celebration  of  the  Founding  of  Ste. 
Genevieve,"  St.  Louis,  1H85,  pp.  10-11. 

»  "  Address  of  Hon.  Firmin  A.  Rozier,"  St.  Louis,  1885,  p.  11. 


•  ii 


,    r 


'  ■'Ti'iBSE'iifeeWBi^i>^&KK 


II' 


■  'kif 


546  LIf'E  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

nilla  at  Pointe  Coupee,  where  be  exercised  the  ministry  for 

Bcveral  years.'  ,    .  ,   t.  .i        k       i 

Iberville  also  had  its  church  of  St.  Gabriel,  lather  Augel 
de  Ilevillagodos  opening  the  llegister  on  the  24th  of  April, 
1773  The  ground  for  the  church  was  given  by  the  bpainsli 
government,  and  the  edifice,  though  twice  removed,  has  been 
repaired  but  once,  and  stands  on  cypress  foundations  st.ll  as 
good  as  when  first  laid. 

The  bell  given  by  the  Spanish  King  at  the  same  time,  bears 
the  title  of  "Santa  Maria  della  Merced-ITGS."  In  h.8 
Father  Valentine  became  i)arish  priest,  succeeded  February 
25  1781  by  Father  Joseph  de  Arazena,  C^ipuchin,  who  had 
charge  also  of  the  church  of  St.  Bernard  at  Manchac,  where 
emigrants  from  the  Canary  Islands  had  formed  the  settlement 

of  Galveston."  ,  ,  t>.  i  e 
The  coming  of  Father  Cyril  in  the  name  of  the  Bishop  of 
Santiago  de  Cuba,  was  hailed  with  delight  by  the  llrsuhne 
Nuns,  who  were  thus  brought  into  relation  with  a  Superior  to 
whom  they  could  expose  their  wants  and  trials.  They  re- 
ceived two  voung  la.lies  sent  from  Havana,  whose  progress 
and  happy  life  were  a  proof  of  tlie  high  character  of  the 
romnumity.  Father  (\vril  was  appointed  Director,  and  tlie 
Bisliop  soon  authorized  the  nuns  to  give  the  veil  to  three 
postulants.' 

Fathor  Valentin-  wan  Ibon'  in  1775-7;  KatluT  IM.ry  1 .  .H-8C, .  tl..  I)o 
,nini.an  F.  L.  Orunu.au.  178,-3  ;  T^'V.  Mr.  G.-m„.,n  for  a  tun.  ...  1  .H.i. 
when  Father  QuinUu.illa  rcsuinr.l  a.id  eont.nuc<l  to  1  .Hi. 

t  Repst<-rsof  St.  (^.ahri.l  .ll....rvilk.  an.i  St.  H..r..anl  do  Ma,.cha..  a.ul 
V  J  f.  11  an,l  intoroHti...  note,  of  liev.  .1.  M.  Laval.     Tlu-  pnu.   o    1.  1 ... 

.  i,,    ",  of  BiHhop  of  Cuba  to  Ursulines.  Octolx,-r  1. 1 .  .3  .  (XtolxT  13. 
177H 


4 


AN  AUXILIARY  BISHOP. 


547 


linistry  for 

tlier  Angel 
li  of  April, 
he  Spiuiisii 
!(1,  has  been 
tions  still  as 

;  time,  bears 
"  In  1778 
d  February 
in,  who  had 
eliac,  where 
e  settlement 

le  Bishop  of 
he  Ursuline 
I  Superior  to 
^.  They  re- 
lose  progress 
•acter  of  the 
:^tor,  and  the 
veil  to  three 


J.  P.  Gutton  ; 
•7H_H0  ;  tin-  Do- 
lt time  in  17S:(, 

Ic  Manchiu-,  and 
•  frnvnl  of  1(11.73 
lie  I'liilt  (I  Stales 
!,"  WiisliiiiKlon, 

:r.i ,  October  18, 


The  Bishop  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  soon  found  that  he  could 
■do  little  in  the  vast  province  recently  placed  under  his  care, 
but  he  encouraged  his  Vicar  to  persevere,  and  that  religious, 
unsupported  by  the  civil  authority,  and  loaded  with  mis- 
representation and  calumny  by  the  adherents  of  the  priests 
at  New  Orleans,  whose  irregularities  he  could  only  correct 
in  their  worst  external  manifestations,  was  able  to  effect 
.greater  good  in  the  parishes.' 

The  King  of  Spain,  tindiiig  that  tue  Sacrament  of  Confir- 
mation had  never  been  administered  in  Louisiana,  and  that 
visitations  of  that  extensive  province  by  the  Bishops  of  San- 
tia<'o  de  Cuba  could  not  be  depended  upon,  resolved  in  the 
Council  of  the  Indies,  July  10,  1779,  to  apply  to  the  Holy 
See  to  give  the  Superior  of  the  missions  in  Louisiana  the 
power  to  confer  that  sacrament  for  the  period  of  twenty 

years." 

This  application  does  not  seem  to  have  been  urged  or 
granted,  and  a  more  definite  plan  for  the  restoration  of  disci- 
pliuo  in  Louisiana  was  proposed.  This  was  the  appointment 
of  an  auxiliary  bishop,  wlio,  instead  of  residing  as  heretofore 
at  St.  1  uirnstine,  should  take  up  his  abode  in  New  Orleans, 
and  thence  visit  the  missions  on  tlie  Mississippi,  as  well  as 
Mobile,  PensacoUi,  and  St.  Augustine. 

The  Sovereign  Pontiff  favored  this  plan,  and  appointed 
Father  Cyril  de  Barcelona  Bishop  of  Tricali  and  Auxiliar  of 
Santiago  de  (^iba.  He  was  consecrated  in  1781  and  pro- 
cee<led  to  New  Orleans,  which  thus,  for  the  first  time,  en- 
joyed the  pn  sence  of  a  Bishop.  The  whole  of  the  province 
of  Louisiana  with  the  Floridas.  which  had  been  in  great  part 


'  Letter  of  Bistiop  Echevorrin. 

»  Jo-scpli  de  Giilvez  to  the  Bishop  of  Santiago  <le  Cuba,  August  15, 
1779. 


i 


i: 


i 


i 


M8  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

recovered  by  Don  Bernardo  Galvez,  formed  the  portion  of 
the  diocese  placed  under  his  care. 

The  state  of  the  Church  in  Louisiana  about  the  year  1785 
may  be  gleaned  from  the  ofKcial  accounts.  The  church  at 
New  Orleans  had  a  parish  priest  and  four  assistants ;  and 
there  was  a  parish  priest  at  each  of  the  following  points: 
Terre  aux  BceutV,  St.  Charles,  St.  John  the  Baptist  or  Bonnet 
Carre,  St.  James,  Ascension,  St.  Gabriel's  at  Il,erville,  Pomte 
Coupee,  Attakapas,  Opclousas,  Natchitoches,  Natchez,  St. 
Ixjuis,  St.  Genevieve,  and  St.  Bernard's  at  Manchac  or  Gal- 
veston. 

On  the  25th  of  November,  1785,  Bishop  Cyril  appointed 


JufC/^  C^'^^^'^'^ 


BIONATrKE  OF  RT.  REV.  CTRIl- 
TRICAl-y,    ADXILIAH   OK 


UE   BARCELONA,  BISHOP  OF 
SANTIAGO    DE    CUBA. 


^  parish  priest  of  New  Orleans  Feather  Antonio  Sedella,  one 
of  six  Spanish  Capuchins  who  had  come  to  the  colony  in 
1770,  but  who  was  destined  to  become  the  scourge  of  religion 
i„  iJ.uisiana.  To  increase  his  power  Father  Sedella  soon 
afterwanl  solicited  an  apiv)intment  as  Commissary  of  the 
Holy  Office,  and  was  in  consetiucnce  sent  to  Spain  by  Gov- 
ernor Miro  in  17S7.  He  returned,  however,  and  resumed 
his  functions,  seeking  thenceforward  to  ingratiate  himself 
with  the  people.'     It  is  also  stated  officially  that  he  was  sent 


'  Miro,  Despatch,  June  3, 1789,  In  GRyivrn-.  "  Louisiunu."  i)p.  270-1. 


!Vi 


BISHOP  CYEWS  VISITATION. 


649 


portion  of 

year  1785 
cliurch  at 
;ant8 ;  and 
ig  points : 
or  Bonnet 
ille,  Pointe 
atchez,  St. 
lac  or  Gal- 

l  appointed 


[A,  BISHOP  or 

CUBA. 

Sedella,  one 
e  colony  in 
e  of  religion 
^edclla  soon 
wary  of  the 
Kiln  !>y  Oov- 
ind  resntnt'd 
iate  liinisi'lf 
t,  he  was  sent 

I,"  pp.  270-1. 


to  Spain  for  having  killed  a  man  in  a  quarrel  concerning  a 
woman,  but  estiaped  punishment  by  a  lavish  use  of  '.noney.' 

This  same  year  a  number  of  the  unfortunate  Acadians 
came  at  the  expense  of  the  King  of  France  and  settled  near 
Plaquemines,  Terre  aux  Eoeufs,  Bayou  Lafourche,  Attakapas, 
and  Opelousjvs,  increasing  the  former  industrious  and  thriving 
Acadian  colonies.  They  bore  with  them  the  precious  Regis- 
ters of  St.  Charles  aux  Mines  in  Acadia,  extending  from  1()89 
to  1749,  only  six  years  before  their  cruel  deportation.  These 
tliey  deposited  for  safe  keeping  with  the  priest  of  St.  Gabriel 
at  Iberville,  where  they  are  to  this  day. 

A  salary  of  three  thousand  dollars  was  assigned  to  the 
Bishop  Auxiliary,  and  as  he  was  required  to  make  a  visita- 
tion extending  to  Mobile  and  Florida,  a  special  allowance  of 
$4,000  was  also  made.' 

We  find  him  visiting,  October  16,  1785,  the  parish  of  St, 
Jacques  de  Cabahannoco,  founded  by  Acadians  in  1779,  the 
Capuchin  Father  Prosper  being  the  first  pastor,  and  James 
Cantrclle  the  great  benefactor.  The  pious  and  devoted  men 
of  this  part  showed  their  zeal  for  religion  by  frequent  dona- 
tions of  plate  and  necessary  articles  for  the  altar.  Bishop 
Cyril  at  his  visitation  installed  Father  Francis  Arzuquega  as 
paii.sh  pt-iest.' 

Bishop  '  ,vr"'  on  his  visitation  was  on  the  13th  to  14th  De- 
cember, 17<  '-.  at  Bonnet  Carre,  where  the  Spanish  govern- 
ment ( 1 770-r»)  had  given  a  site,  four  arpents  by  eighty,  for  the 
erection  of  the  churclt  of  St.  JoixL  the  Baptist,  the  Capuchin 


'  Codici-  IV.  Canada-lsthmo  ■!.'  i-.  nama,  .818-i8-J0;  Archives  of  the 
Propaganda. 

•'  Lrtter  of  Don  Joseph  de  Galvt-.,  to  the  Bishop  of  Cuba,  September 
17,  1785. 

»  de  Senneffy,  "  St.  Michel  du  C'omte  d'Acadio,"  Nouvelle  Orleans, 
1877.  pp.  31-28. 


IH 


R50  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

Fathor  IWimhas  being  tl.o  first  i.u'u.ubei.t  (August  IT.,  1772, 
August  24,  1784).  He  direotea  the  KegisterH  l.eretofore 
kept  in  Frencli  to  be  written  in  all  cases  in  Spanish.' 

We  find  hi.n  next  at  St.  (iabriers  at  Iberville,  with  his 
Seeretarv,  Ignatius  Ant.  Domenech,  on  tho  2(>th  cf  Decem- 
ber. That  church,  after  being  under  the  Prenionstratcnsian 
canon  Morel  d'llernieville,  from  August  31,  1783,  to  April 
27,  1785,  had  received  as  its  pastor  Father  Bernardo  de  Deva, 
September  25,  1785,  who  was  in  charge  also  of  what  prom- 
ised to  be  the  larger  parish  of  St.  Bernard  at  Galveston.' 

At  Pointe  (A)upee,  Father  Luis  de  Quintanilla,  Capuchnv 
had  been  parish  priest  (December  14,  1783,  to  February  4, 
171)1),  followed  by  Father  Bernard  de  Limi>ach  (March  27„ 
1701-1700);  the  latter  dying  suddenly  was  buried  by  Kev. 
f  Mi'arles  Ihirke,  parish  priest  of  Baton  Uouge.  The  Kev.  Mr. 
(Jerbov  then  became  parish  priest,  succeeded  by  Rev.  Francis 
Lennan,  who  had  been  pastor  at  Natchez,  and  still  attended 
it  occasionallv,  at.d  temporarily  in  1800  by  the  Carmelite 
Father  Paul  de  St.  Pierro,  wlu.m  we  have  seen  m  Kentucky, 
Illinois,  and  Missouri.' 


'  F.xtriuts  from  tho  Ropistcr  of  St  Jean  Buptisle.  Bonnet  Carre,  due  t(v 
the  kindness  of  Rev.  .F.  M.  Uavoire. 

«  Thene  ohunhes  were  iitlen.h'.l  after  F.  D-'va's  last  entry,  April  28 
178S  bv  Father  .loseph  Anthony  Dias  ,le  Maeeda.  >'"y -'4,  17^.  April 
lo   iTsi»     F   H.  n.anl  .!.■  Lin.paeh.  February  24,  1790.  Mareh  .51.  1 .91  ; 
R  Bonav..n.nra  de  Cas.ro,  .fane  12.  1791,  Au,m.s,  11,  1799     N..tes  from 
Rcpster.  hv  Bev.  .T.  M.  Laval.     F.  Deva  died  .June  9.  \m\.  ajred  80. 

>  Not.-s  from  R.Kist.r  of  Pointe  Coup.V  by  Bev.  J.  P.  Gutton.  Father 
d..  St  Pi.rn.  wa.s  a  (J.r.nan.  a  memhiT  of  the  Carnielite  or.ler,  and  had 
,H..n  ehaplain  in  Bu..han,b..auV  arn.y.  Affr  aetinir  as  adminiBtrator  at 
St  (jHbri.-l  at  IlM.rvilie,  h.-  wa«  parish  pri.-st  fron.  1804  to  his  .l.ath  Octo 
U.r  1.-.  lH2tt  at  tl...  ap-  of  SI.  He  w>i.s  infrn.!  by  B.v  Anthony  Blanc 
K.V  Mr.  Laval  savs  of  hin.  :  "  Fath.T  d.  St.  I'i.m.  was  .rrtainly  one  of 
the  mo.t  n-markal.l.-  priests  th.t  ev.-r  u.l.ninist.n..!  St.  (Jabr.e  s  church. 
During  his  time  the  ehureh  was  removed  fro.n  it.s  former  place  on  the 


L 

ist  10,1772, 
<  liiTetofore 
ish.' 

Ik',  with  his 
I  of  Deceni- 
lUBtratcnBiiin 
8;?,  to  April 
rdode  Deva, 

viiat  i)roin- 
Ivestoii.' 
a,  Capuchin^ 

Fc'hriiary  4, 
1  (March  27^ 
ried  by  Ut'V. 
rhi'  llev.  Mr. 
Rov.  Francis 
still  attended 
lie  CartiU'lite 
in  Kentucky,. 


ST.  AUOUSTINK 


551 


let  Carre,  due  to 

entry,  April  28, 
i-24,  17HH,  April 
Miirth  :n,  1791  ; 
rilil ;  Notes  from 
820,  ufred  80. 
(iuttdii.     Father 
1  (irtlcr,  and  had 
i  iidniiiiislrator  at 
)  his  death,  Oelo 
Antlioiiy  Hlaiic. 
8  ecrtaiidy  one  of 
(laliriel's  church. 
muT  pliire  on  llie 


Pensacola  surrendered  aftc  a  stubborn  siege  on  the  8th  of 
May,  1781,  and  ('atholic  service  was  at  once  restored,  the 
first  parish  priest  being  the  Capuchin  Father  Peter  de  Velez, 
of  the  province  of  Andalucia,  who  served  for  some  time, 
being  succeeded  in  August,  1785,  by  Father  Stephen  de 
Valoriaof  the  sai.  :   >rder.' 

St.  Augustine  returned  to  Spain  by  the  treaty  of  peace  in 
1783,  but  the  Catholic  king  was  already  providing  for  the 
future  of  Catholicity  in  that  ancient  province.     As  early  as 
1778,  ('harles  III.,  on  learning  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Camps, 
whose  health  was  broken  by  his  labors  among  the  Minorcans, 
wished  to  return  to  Europe,  elected  Rev.  Thomas  Ilassett 
and  Rev.  Michael  O'Reilly,  two  Irish  clergymen,  to  proceed 
to  Florida  as  parish  priest  and  vicar,  paying  their  passiige, 
giving  them  two  hundred  dollars  to  obtain  clothing  and  nec- 
essary books,  and  assigning  each  three  hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars a  year.     They  were  to  present  themselves  to  the  P>ishop 
of  Santiago  de  Cuba  to  obtain  faculties,  and  proper  instal- 
lation.' 

This  care  of  the  Spanish  king  contrasts  favorably  with 
that  of  the  French  court,  which  seems  to  have  done  nothing 
for  its  former  subjects  who  passed  under  the  English  sway, 
not  even  after  the  American  Revolution  made  it  easy  to  pro- 
vide for  the  Indians  in  Maine  and  whites  and  Indians  in  the 
"West.  Irish  clergymen  trained  in  Spain  were  selected,  as 
they  could  attend  the  Spaniards  and  at  the  same  time  labor 
among  the  English-speaking  population. 

The  two  Irish  priests  embarked  at  Cadiz,  but  delays  were 


bank  of  the  Mississippi  to  where  it  stands  now,  the  river  having  swept 
away  the  bank  in  front  of  it  in  1817." 

'  LJbro  primo  de  Asiento  de  partidas  de  difuntos  de  esta  yglesia  Par- 
roq'  de  San  Miguel  de  Pan/.iieolu. 

'  .Joseph  de  Galvez  to  the  Bishop  of  Cuba,  Madrid,  December  16, 1778. 


IF 

ii 

I 


■v  ■ 


lly,fl 


\'l 


iv 


■m 


¥W 


552  h^^^  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

caused  by  shipwreck  and  by  the  war,  and  it  was  ascortained 
that  the  Minorcans  were  at  St.  Augustine,  and  Ilev.  Dr. 
Camps  still  ministering  to  them.  Ilev.  Mr.  IlaKHott  was  in- 
vited to  take  charge  of  a  Catholic  school  at  Phil  .Iphia,  but 
the  close  of  the  war  and  the  cession  of  Flor  la  •  *^imin 
changed  the  whole  condition  of  affairs.  The  Kev.  .\».-ser8. 
Hassett  and  O'Keilly  were  ordered  to  proceed  to  St.  Augus- 
tine with  the  Spanish  troops  dispatched  in  17HI  «(>  take  pos- 
eession  and  act  as  parish  priest  and  vicar  of  the  MinorcaTis.' 

IloN.il  orders,  however,   had   to   conform  to  canon  law. 
Rev.  Dr.  Camps  was  parish  priest  of  Sau  Pedro  do  M  -sqnito, 


BIONATHKE  OF  VKUY  HKV.  TIIOMAH  nABSKTT.  I'AllIHH  PIUERT  OF 
BT.  AXOfSTINK,  CANON  OK  NKW  OllLEANH,  ADMINIHTKATOU  OF 
THE  DIOCEi<K. 

not  of  St.  Augustine,  and  if  Rev.  Mr.  llassett  took  charge  of 
thi^Cilholics  in  the  latter  city,  it  would  be  as  parish  priest 
of  tie  «)!cient  parish,  the  office  actually  conferre.i  on  him  by 
the  liisliop.  He  opened  the  Hegisters  on  tlu;  1st  of  August, 
1784,  -h'ling  himself  neneticed  Curate  Vicar  and  Kcclesias- 
tical  JudgtN  with  Ilev.  Michael  O'Keilly  as  auxiliar,  the  latter 
iK^^iiig  also  chaplain  of  the  troops  fonuing  the  garrison  of  the 

fort.' 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Camps  did  not  withdraw,  but  remained  to 

'  Joseph  de  Galvpz  \o  the  Bishop  of  Culw.  Aranjuez.  April  28. 1784. 
«  Libro  primo  de  Iwutismos  dc  negroB,  etc.     "'    Augustin.-.  August  1, 

1784. 


m 


ST.  AUGUSTINE. 


0ff8 


.til 


sccrtaiiu'fl 
Rov.  Dr. 
,'tt  WU8  in- 
ilphia,  but 
to  '^imin 
IV.  Ai<js«r8. 

^t.  A  llgUB- 

.  take  poH- 
norcaiis.' 
anon  In    . 
Mosqiiito, 


'KIEST  OF 
itATOll  OK 


{  cliarpt'  of 
irirth  priest 
on  him  l>y 
of  Anijust, 
(1  Ecclesias- 
r,  the  latter 
riHon  of  the 

■emaiiied  to 

>ril  28.  17«4. 
DC,  August  1, 


core  for  liis  old  flock.'     Spanislj  settlers  gradually  catne  in, 
forming  i  '  >ngregation  for  the  otiicial  parif^li  '  and  his 

assistant. 

\  liospiial  was  al>"   ontahlished,  and  as  eai  i  ieconiber 

4,  17h4,     iev.  Fraiui    Troconis  appears  as  clui^-iain  of  the 
Hospital  of  our  Lady  of  (Jnadalupe. 

The  venersihle  pity  once  more  put  on  a  Catholic  look  iiml 
re-echoed  w.  ii  tiic  services  of  our  holy  faith.  The  whole 
territory  of  Louisiana  and  the  two  Floridas  over  which  Bish- 
op Cyril  had  been  appointed,  thus  came  really  under  his  care. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  llassett  found  few  traces  >  "  the  old  Catholic 


c 


6 


8IGNATCBE  OK  ItEV.  MICUAKI,  i>  UEIl.LY. 

lif  I  the  city  of  Menendez.  The  o!)ly  place  for  a  chapel 
Wit  low  room  in  the  poverty-stricken  house  which  Dr. 
Campo  had  been  able  to  secure  as  a  home.  The  provisional 
parish  church  had  been  swept  away  by  the  English;  the 
JVishops  house  had  been  replaced  by  a  frail  structure;  the 
Franciscan  convent  liad  become  the  barracks. 


'  Kev.  I>r.  Camps,  wlio  had  served  his  Minorcan  flonk  with  great  de- 
voti'(h)('ss,  not  only  receiving  notliiiig  fnmi  them,  liiit  even  aiding  their 
poverty  friiuj  his  spiJiity  iillowsince,  iippciiled  to  the  king  in  1781,  and  it 
w,is  proposed  to  pi     note  him  to  a  canonry  in  tlie  island  of  Majorca. 
I,etter  of  Kev.  I>r.  lami)s,  .luly  HO,  IT.SO.     Letter  of  .loseph  Giilvez  to 
the  Bishop  of  liantiago  ilc  '  iilm,  March  17,  1781.     Nothing,  however, 
was  ever  done.     Oovenior  Zespedes,  in  a  letter  to  the  ('o\int  de  Gnlvez. 
December  'iTt,  17S(1,  hears  testimony  to  the  merit  of  this  good  priest,  to 
the  "  Kvan!,'elical  siinuli'ity  and  purity  of  life  which  gave  him  the  intlu- 
cncc  of  a  true  aiuwlli         He  had  iil^n  on  the  .'>th  of  .Vugust,  17S4,  remon- 
strated agnin-t  his  removal  till  anouier  MimTcan  priest  of  equal  zeal  was 
sent  to  replace  him. 

24 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


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Photographic 

Sciaices 

Corporation 


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33  WHT  MAIN  STRUT 

WHSTH.N.Y.  14SM 

(716)  •75.4S03 


< 


,V4 


f/j 


^^ 


654 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Rev.  Mr.  Hassett  took  possession  of  the  building  on  the 
site  of  the  Bishop's  house,  and  made  the  upper  floor  the  tem- 
porary parish  church,  inconvenient  as  it  was  to  reach  it  by  a 
staircase,  and  ill-adapted  as  it  was  for  the  worship  of  Al- 
mighty God.  "What  Dr.  Camps  had  for  the  service  of  the 
altar  was  wretched  beyond  description,  worn  out  and  poor. 
The  plate  and  vestments  properly  belonging  to  the  church  of 
St.  Augustine  had  been  carried  off  when  the  English  took 
possession  and  were  still  retained  in  Cuba. 

Rev.  Mr.  Hassett  appealed  to  the  king  to  erect  a  suitable 
and  becoming  church,  with  a  high  altar,  sacristy,  pictures  of 
the  Crucifixion  and  of  our  Lady,  organ,  baptismal  font,  vest- 
ments, plate,  and  the  various  articles — banners,  crosses,  and 
the  like — to  use  in  processions  and  on  great  holidays  in  order 
to  excite  the  piety  of  the  faithful.  He  also  asked  the  restora- 
tion of  all  articles  belonging  to  St.  Auguotine  which  had  been 
removed  to  Cuba. 

In  Spanish  churches,  the  fabrica  or  trustees  supplied  the 
bread,  wine,  and  candles,  by  the  collections  taken  up  during 
service ;  and  the  Confraternity  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament 
maintained  the  lamps.  As  both  fabrica  and  confraternity 
were  wanting,  he  solicited  an  appropriation  to  cover  the  cost 
of  these  articles.' 

It  was  not,  however,  till  February,  1786,  that  orders  were 
sent  from  Spain  to  the  Bishop  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  to  furnish 
the  Church  of  St.  Augustine  with  articles  of  absolute  necessity 
at  once.' 

The  king  meanwhile  urged  Bishop  Cyril  to  make  a  visita- 
tion of  the  Florida  portion  of  the  diocese  confided  to  him, 
and  directed  the  Bishop  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  to  pay  him  four 


'  Rev.  Thomas  Hassett  to  the  Governor  of  Florida,  October  6,  1784. 
'  Manjuis  of  Souora  to  Bishop  of  Suntiiigo  de  Cuba,  February  5,  1786. 


THE  FRANCISCANS. 


555 


or  five  thousand  dollars  to  cover  the  expenses  of  a  visitation 
extending  to  Mobile  and  Pensacola.' 

Soon  after  this  the  king  ordered  the  sum  of  $3,537  and 
a  real  and  a  half,  the  value  of  the  plate  and  vestments  carried 
oflE  in  1763  from  St.  Augustine,  and  the  rents  of  eleven  bouses 
in  Havana  belonging  to  the  Church  of  St.  Augustine,  to  be 
applied  to  rebuild  the  church,  "  which  quantity  he  holds  and 
considers  sufficient  for  a  decent  church  suited  to  that  town." 
Plate  and  vestments  were  sent,  and  an  increase  of  salary  given 

the  two  priests.^ 

One  of  the  objects  in  appointing  Irish  priests  who  spoke 
Spanish,  was  to  give  to  Florida  priests  able  to  convert  Eng- 
lish-speaking settlers  who  chose  to  remain  in  the  country. 
They  at  once  opened  courses  of  instruction  at  St.  Augustine, 
and  the  Kegister  shows  a  series  of  baptisms  of  adults,  white 
and  colored.     An  official  list  was  also  forwarded  to  Spain.' 

To  carry  on  this  work  among  poorer  settlers  on  the  St. 
John  and  St.  Mary  Kivers,  where  the  people  had  lived 
without  any  religious  instruction  or  guidance,  Zespedes,  Gov- 
ernor of  Florida,  urged  the  king  to  establish  a  parish  on  each 
river,  and  station  two  clergymen  in  each.* 

The  Franciscans  of  the  province  of  Santa  Eitna  de  la 
Florida  had  not  been  indifferent  to  the  recovery  of  the  col- 
ony. On  July  3,  1784,  Father  Francis  Roderic  Capote,  in 
the  name  of  the  province  of  which  he  was  custos  and  dele- 
gate, petitioned  the  king  asking  that  they  should  be  put  in 
possession  of  the  convent  and  missions  which  had  belonged 

1  Joseph  de  Qalvez  to  the  Bishop  of  Santiago  de  Cuba,  September  17. 

1785. 
1  The  Marquis  of  Sonora  to  same.  Madrid.  December  8,  1786. 

•  Rev  Thos.  Hassett  to  Governor  of  St.  Augustine,  and  Copia  de  la  Re- 
lacion.  September  8.  1786.    It  gives  thirty-seven  names. 

♦  Governor  Zespedes  to  Count  de  Galvez.  August  la,  1786. 


m% 


556 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


I« 


to  them  when  Florida  was  ceded  to  England.  He  set  forth 
that  their  convent  was  still  standing,  that  the  province  had 
been  in  possession  of  it  and  the  Indian  mission  stations  for  a 
century  and  a  half  before  1763,  as  appeared  by  the  Royal  Ce- 
dulas  in  the  archives  of  the  Commissary-General  of  the  In- 
dies; and  now  that  Florida  was  restored  to  the  Crown  of 
Spain,  they  were  ready  and  anxious  to  return  and  resume 
their  labors  for  the  conversion  of  the  Indians.' 

The  matter  was  considered  by  the  iiing  in  the  Council  of 
the  Indies,  and  the  opinions  of  the  Bishop  of  Santiago  de 
Cuba  and  of  the  Governor  of  Florida  were  requested  before 
any  definite  action  was  taken.*  Governor  Zespedes  in  his  re- 
ply deemed  it  unadvisable  to  introduce  the  Franciscans  again 
till  the  country  was  settled  by  Spaniards,  and  a  larger  popu- 
lation there.  The  rights  of  the  Franciscans  were  acknowl- 
edged, but  as  he  averred,  "  the  edifice  which  formerly  served 
them  as  a  convent,  was  completely  transfonned  and  had  lost 
all  appearance  of  such  a  habitation  for  rehgious :  that  it  was 
too  far  from  the  city  to  allow  the  religious  to  furnish  prompt- 
ly to  the  faithful  any  spiritual  consolation,"  and  that  in  the 
event  of  their  return  it  would  be  necessary  to  rebuild  the 
convent  and  church  and  set  aside  a  fund  to  support  the  friars 
till  there  were  faithful  enough  to  contribute  the  necessary 
alms ;  and  that  four  priests  already  there  sufficed  for  the 
wants  of  the  people. 

He  represented  the  former  Indian  missions  as  extinct,  and 
proposed  a  plan  of  his  own  for  converting  the  still  heathen 
tribes.  Though  some  of  his  statements  were  evidently  ex- 
aggerated, his  arguments  must  have  prevailed,  for  the  Fran- 
ciscans were  not  allowed  just  then  to  revive  their  work  in 


'  Petition  of  P.  Capote,  July  8,  1784. 

'  The  king  to  the  Bishop  of  Santiago  db  Cuba,  April  9,  1786. 


DIOCESE  OF  HAVANA  ERECTED. 


557 


St.  Augustine  and  occupy  the  convent  which  all  the  docu- 
ments in  this  affair  recognized  as  really  belonging  to  them.' 

In  1786  Bishop  Cyril  issued  a  pastoral  urging  the  faithful 
to  attend  the  celebration  of  the  holy  sacrifice  of  the  mass  on 
Sundays  and  holidays  with  due  respect  and  devotion.  He 
also  called  attention  to  the  too  common  violation  of  the  laws 
of  the  Church  by  servile  works  and  by  buying  and  selling  on 
those  days.  Still  more  severely  did  he  censure  the  dances  of 
the  negroes  on  Sunday  afternoons  during  Vesper  time. 

Governor  Miro  in  his  Bando  de  Gobierno  or  Proclamation, 
on  assuming  office,  supported  the  Bishop  by  announcing  that 
he  would  carry  out  the  Bishop's  recommendations  and  en- 
force a  due  observance  of  the  Lord's  day.' 

The  King  of  Spain,  wishing  to  retain  the  Enghsh  settled 
at  Baton  Kouge  and  Natchez,  applied  to  the  Bishop  of  Sala- 
manca to  obtain  priests  from  the  Irish  College  in  his  episco- 
pal city,  who  would  be  adapted  for  such  places,  and  be  able 
gradually  to  win  the  people  over  to  the  Catholic  faith.    Those 
Elected  were  the  Rev.  William  Savage,  a  clergyman  of  great 
repute  •  Kev.  Michael  Lamport,  Rev.  Gregory  White,  and 
Rev.  Constantine  Makenna.    The  Franciscan  Father  Joseph 
Denis,  with  six  Fathers  of  his  order,  was  also  sent  to  Louis- 
iana  '  The  Irish  priests  reached  Havana  in  the  cummer  of 
1787,  and  the  labors  of  several  can  be  traced  during  the  en- 

suing  years.'  - 

In  1787  the  Holy  See,  at  the  instance  of  the  King  oi 

Spain  divided  the  diocese  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  and  erected 

the  new  bishopric  of  St.  Christopher  of  Havana,  Lomsiana, 


1  Letter  of  Governor  Zespedes,  September  1,  1786.  ^,      ^    . 

«  Gayarr6,  "  History  of  Louisiana,  Spanish  Domination,'   New  York. 

»  Bishop  of  Cuba  to  Esteban  Miro,  July  4,  July  21, 1787. 


'i 


668 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


and  the  Floridas.  The  Right  Rev.  Joseph  de  Trespalacios, 
then  Bishop  of  Porto  Rico,  became  the  first  bishop  of  the 
new  diocese,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Cyril  de  Barcelona  became 
his  auxiliar,  charged  with  the  care  of  the  continental  portion 
of  the  district  confided  to  him.* 

The  change  was  therefore  but  in  name  in  Louisiana  and 
Florida,  which  thus  became  part  of  the  diocese,  briefly  termed 
that  of  Havana.  The  new  bishop  was  apparently  not  pleased 
with  the  auxiliary  thus  assigned  to  him,  and  refused  him  his 
salary.  This  detained  Bishop  Cyril  for  a  time  in  Havana 
till  an  order  of  the  king  directed  the  payment  of  his  arrears, 
and  required  him  to  return  to  the  provinces  placed  under  his 
care. 

On  the  11th  of  April,  1Y88,  a  lot  of  land  lying  near  the 
fort  at  Natchez  was  purchased  from  Stephen  Minor  as  the 
site  of  a  church.  The  plot  contained  300  arpents,  equal  to 
some  180  acres,  the  consideration  being  $2,000.  According 
to  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Janssens,  this  property  was  tetween 
the  present  Franklin,  Rankin,  State,  and  Wall  Streets.  A 
frame  house,  forty  feet  by  fifty,  including  the  verandas,  and 
containing  five  rooms  and  a  wide  hall,  was  erected  as  a  home 
for  the  clergyman  of  the  place.  According  to  tradition  this 
house  stood  on  the  Court  House  Square  and  was  the  only 
one  on  the  hili.  Orders  were  given  also  for  the  erection  of 
a  suitable  church.  This  shrine  of  religion  was  a  two-story 
frame  building,  and  stood  on  Centre  Street,  over  the  spot 
now  familiarly  known  as  the  "  Centre  of  Natchez."  * 

One  of  the  Irish  priests  from  Salamanca  was  stationed 


'  Gams,  "  Series  Episcoporum,"  Ratisbonne,  1878,  p.  152. 

•  Ripht  Rev.  Francis  Janssens,  D.D.,  "  Sketch  of  the  Catholic  Church 
in  the  City  of  Natchez,  Miss.,  on  the  occasion  of  the  Consecration  of  its 
Cathedral,  September  19, 1886";  Natchez,  1886,  pp.  18, 14. 


NATCHEZ. 


559 


here,  but  the  records  are  not  extant.  The  earliest  incumbent 
of  the  parish  under  the  Spanish  sway,  of  whom  we  find  any 
trace,  was  the  Rev.  Francis  Lennan.' 

Another  church  was  erected  at  Coles  Creek,  called  in 
Spanish  Villa  Gayoso.' 

Most  of  the  people  at  Natchez  were  Protestants,  many  of 
them  Americans  who  sided  with  England  ;  but  the  historian 
of  Mississippi  says  :  "  No  attempt  was  made  to  proselyte  or 
proscribe  them,  nor  was  there  ever  any  official  interference, 
unless  the  parties  in  their  zeal,  or  under  indiscreet  advisers, 
became  offensively  demonstrative.  There  was,  in  fact,  more 
religious  freedom  and  toleration  for  Protestants  in  the  Nat- 
chez district  than  Catholics  and  dissenters  f ro;a  the  ruling 
denomination  enjoyed  in  either  Old  or  New  England." 

The  territory  east  of  the  Mississippi,  held  by  Spain  under 
the  title  of  conquest  and  a  treaty  with  England,  was,  how- 
ever, claimed  by  Georgia,  and  that  State  made  grants  of  the 
very  ground  occupied  by  the  Spanish  forts.  Trouble  seemed 
80  imminent  that  Spain,  by  the  treaty  of  October  27,  1795, 
abandoned  her  claim  to  all  territory  north  of  the  31st  degree 
from  the  Mississippi  to  the  Chattahoochee.' 

The  Spanish  garrison  loft  Natchez  on  the  29th  of  March, 
1798,  and  the  fort  at  Nogales,  now  Yicksburg,  was  soon 
afterward  vacated.* 

The  churches  at  Natchez  and  Coles  Creek  were  left  in  the 


'  John  Ilarrisson  to  Rev.  Francis  Lennan,  Pastor  of  the  Natchez 
church,  November  24, 1794. 

■'  Bishop  Pefialver  to  Bishop  Carroll,  New  Orleans,  April  12, 1799. 

» Claiborne,  "  Mississippi  as  a  Province,  Territory,  and  State,"  Jack- 
son 1880.  pp.  130-7,  159.  A  minister  named  McCloud  by  preaching  to 
the  people  to  prepare  for  a  terrible  persecution  is  probably  alluded  to  by 
Claiborne. 

«  Claiborne,  '•  Mississippi,"  pp.  195,  208. 


, "( n 


5^  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

care  of  Mr.  Joseph  Vidal,  the  Spanish  ConBul,  "  in  order," 
"rl  Bishop  Penalver,  "that  they  may  be  occupied  for 
Tine  service,  should  a  community  of  Cathohcs  be  form^ 
thel^^a'd  thJt  by  this  means  the  House  of  God  may  not  be 

^"on"Gold  Friday,  March  21, 1788,  New  Orleans  was  swept 
by  a  terrible  conflagration  in  which  nearly  mne  hund^ 
buildings  were  totally  destroyed.  The  parish  church  which 
wJa  bHck  structure  dating  back  to  1725,  with  the  a^<.nmg 
convent  of  the  Capuchin  Fathers,  the  house  of  Bishop  Cynl, 
andl  Spanish  Lhool,  were  among  the  edifices  reduced  to 

"Amid  the  general  desolation  of  New  Orleans  after  this 
disaster,  one  man  stands  prominent  for  his  public  spirit  and 
J,n  ros  ty.  This  man  was  Don  Andres  Almonaster  y  Roxas, 
fn  AndaLan,  member  of  the  ^^^bildo  and  Alferez  M^ 
He  at  once  offered  a  small  building  for  the  Spamsh  school, 
fnd  later  in  the  year  he  offered  to  rebuild  the  church  wi^^ 
house  beside  it  for  the  use  of  the  c^rgy,  and  -c^^^  hou^ 
for  public  offices.  For  his  outlay  he  was  to  be  reimbursed 
in  due  time.'    His  generous  offer  wa.  accepted. 

The  comer-stone  of  the  new  church  was  laid  in  the  ollow- 
ing  year  ; '  but  the  work  proceeded  so  slowly  that  at  the  be- 
2Ing  of  1794  the  edifice,  which  should  have  been  com- 
^leted'in  the  previous  August,  was  still  without  a  roof  or 
Ly  of  the  work  necessary  to  complete  the  ^f^-'-f^^ 
Andres  had,  however,  received,  at  the  time  fixed  for  the 
fompletion,  a  cedula  conferring  on  him  the  honors  and  nghta 

1  Bishop  PeflaWcr  to  Bishop  Carroll. 

.  Gaya^.  "  HlBtory  of  Louisiana.  Spanish  Domination.'  New  York, 
1854  pp.  203,  205,  271. 
»  aovemor  Miro's  Despatch,  June  8, 1789 ;  lb.,  p.  271. 


FLORIDA. 


561 


of  the  Royal  Patronage.'  The  church  was,  however,  com- 
pleted before  the  close  of  the  year,  and  narrowly  escaped  de- 
struction in  a  second  conflagration  which  desolated  the  city 
on  the  feast  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  1194." 

Soon  after  the  fire  of  1Y88,'  Bishop  Cyril  de  Barcelona 
retired  to  Havana,  and  in  the  autumn  crossed  to  Florida, 
where  he  made  a  formal  visitation  of  the  Church  of  St.  Au- 
gustine on  the  17th  of  September.  His  entries  in  the  Regis- 
ters show  that  he  found  all  the  services  of  religion  conducted 
with  edifying  regularity.  He  made,  however,  one  change, 
which  seems  strange  to  those  who  are  not  fully  aware  of  the 
complete  State  control  of  the  Church  at  that  time.  Rev. 
Mr.  Hassett  and  his  assistant  had  made  the  entries  in  the 
Registers  in  Latin,  the  language  of  the  Church,  but  Bishop 
Cyril  here,  as  in  Louisiana,  placed  on  the  Register  his  direc- 
tion that  they  should  henceforward  be  kept  in  Spanish,  and 
he  gave  the  official  form  for  Baptism,  Marriage,  and  Inter- 
ment.* 

As  a  result  of  this  visit  and  the  Bishop's  report  steps  were 
taken  to  establish  chapels  on  St.  Mary's  River  and  St.  John's 
River,  and  in  1789  two  Franciscan  Fathers  of  the  Observance 
were  sent  out  to  serve  in  those  districts.* 


'  Baron  de  Carondelet  to  Duke  de  la  Alcudia,  January  18, 1794,  in 
Smith,  "  Coleccion  de  Varios  Documentos,"  Madrid,  1857,  pp.  36-7. 

'  Gayarre,  "  History  of  Louisiana,"  pp.  271,  386.  Don  Andres  Almo- 
naster  y  Roxas  died  at  New  Orleans,  April  26,  1798,  and  was  interred  in 
the  church  he  erected.  His  remains  lie  in  the  present  cathedral,  a  large 
marble  slab  recording  his  services. 

»  Governor  Miro,  Despatch,  April  1, 1788,  cited  by  Gayarre,  "  History 
of  Louisiana,  Spanish  Domination,"  New  York,  1854,  p.  203.  There 
were  before  the  fire  eight  French  schools  with  about  400  pupils. 

*  Auto  del  Obispo  de  Tricali  in  Register  of  St.  Augustine,  September 
17,  1788. 

»  Marquis  de  Bajamar  to  Bishop  of  Havana,  Aranjuez,  May  21, 1791. 
24* 


'  i 


hm 


,  t. 


1  tJ 


*  If 


562  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

Bishop  Cyril  continued  the  care  of  his  portion  of  the  die 

and  no  offleial  '^""'"'^  '     j^^    provided  than 

laborion.  and  -P--;''^.,,^:7;, ^bad  tid'e d'in  St.  Angu. 
r  Xl'oTrCaTU  and  ..  «a,ajied  e,.^en 
T'  j-!!\n  him  He  addresied  the  Wng  from  New  Or- 
r  I  the  m  of  September,  1789,  a.Wng,  for  the  «l.e 
7:.  irto  t  Placed'in  a  more  worth,  condition  a.  that 
°tv  hefive  OapnchinB  at  the  pari*  chnreh  hemg  reqmred 
t"th  t  and  the  missions,  and  seldom  hemg  ah  e  to  help  h,m 
celebrate  a  pontifical  mass  according  to  the  ntnal. 

On  1  Wth  of  May,  IWO,  died  a.  St.  A"."*-!^ 

t  .i.tv  the  Rev  Dr.  Peter  Camps,  so  long  the  devotea 

age  of  sixty,  the  l^e^ .  l.-  Mercadel,  Minorca, 

^  '    f  the  ei'tv  amid  the  tears  of  his  bereaved  disciples, 
cemetery  of  the  e  J,  """O  .   „^  ^„,„ved  to  the 

oS?.  1  ;»  « -fflcfal  act  ^styles  himself.  Dr.  Camps' 

"Tnt  CWeTlV.  of  Spain,  on  the  31st  of  May,  1189, 
King  Llmrles  iv.  u       t      ,  plantation 

..^ued  a  royal  dee.ee    ro^r^ZZo^    Against  this  the 
there  should  be  a  chaplain  for  the  negroes,     iig 

.  Bl«hop  of  Tricali  to  the  King.  New  Orleans.  September  12. 1789. 
.  Eutl  86  and  222  in  Parish  Register  of  St.  Augustine. 


FLORIDA. 


563 


le  dio- 
iguity 
ad  not 
jrders, 
more 
i  than 

^UgU8- 

gymen 
ew  Or- 
tie  sake 
at  that 
equired 
elp  him 

2  at  the 
devoted 
!»Iinorca, 
.    Forti- 
Bo  often 
reer,  and 
n,  in  the 
disciples, 
ed  to  the 
tenth  an- 
Michael 
p.  Camps' 

ay,  1789, 
plantation 
ist  this  the 

12. 1789. 


authorities  in  Louisiana  remonstrated,  urging  its  impossibil- 
ity, as  there  were  not  priests  even  for  all  the  parish  churches.' 

In  1791  Bishop  Cyril  made  a  visitation  at  Peusacola,  where 
Father  Stephen  de  Valorio  was  still  in  charge  of  the  parish.' 

This  same  year  the  Observantines  were  recalled  from  Flor- 
ida, and  three  Irish  priests,  Rev.  Mark  Barry,  Rev.  Michael 
Crosby,  and  the  Carmelite  Father  Michael  Wallis,  proceeded 
to  St.  Augustine.  Two  of  these,  whom  the  Bishop  should 
select,  were  to  reside  at  the  chapels  to  be  erected  on  the  St. 
John's  and  St.  Mary's  Rivers.'  At  the  same  time,  the  Rev. 
Narcissus  Font,  a  Conventual  Franciscan,  native  of  Villanu- 
eva  y  Gertru  in  Catalonia,  came  over  to  succeed  Rev.  Dr. 
Camps  in  the  care  of  the  Minorcans,  closing  his  short  but 
edifying  career  by  a  pious  death  on  the  13th  of  January, 
1793.* 


^ 


t:'C 


^t^s^ 


'aj/' 


BIGNATURE  OF  BEV.    MICHAEL  CUOSBY. 


The  priests  assigned  to  these  new  charges  were  to  receive 
thirty  dollars  a  month,  and  all  priests  in  Florida  were  warned 
against  exacting  onerous  fees  from  the  faithful. 


'  Gayarre,  "  History  of  Louisiana,  Spanish  Domination,"  pp.  301-2. 

'  Register  of  San  Miguel  de  Panzacola. 

'  Marquis  of  Bajamar  to  Bishop  of  Havana,  May  21,  1791. 

<  Father  Font  was  interred  in  tlie  cemetery  with  Father  Camps,  and  his 
body  removed  to  tlie  churcli  witli  the  remains  of  that  priest,  '.:■  the 
work  of  restoring  the  Church  of  ht.  Augustine  after  the  fire  of  i  87,  the 
vault  containing  tliem  was  found.  Entry  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hassett  in  Register 
of  St.  Augustine,  No.  132,  January  13,  1793  ;  of  Rev.  M.  O'Reilly  in 
same.  222,'  May  27.  1800. 


r.u; 


M. 


f 

4— 


-  >ii 


i 


I 


5e4  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

The  Ureuline  Community  at  New  Orleans  sustained  a  series 
of  losses  about  the  time  when  France  was  deprived  of  her 
power  on  the  American  Continent.  Sister  Mary  Turpm  of 
St  Martha,  tl.e  Illinois  member,  died  in  1761 ;  Mother  Char- 
lotte Herbert  of  St.  Xavier,  Mother  Renata  Guiquel  of  St. 
Mary,  one  of  the  foundresses,  and  Mother  Frances  Margaret 
Bernard  de  St.  Martin  died  in  1762-3,  followed  soon  after  by 
Mother  Mary  Jane  of  St.  Mark,  and  Mother  Mary  CaiUaux 
de  Beaumont.  Mother  Anne  le  Boulanger,  another  of  the 
foundresses,  died  in  June,  1766,  at  the  age  of  81. 

While  the  war  with  England  lasted,  the  Ursulines  could,  of 
course,  expect  no  new  members  from  the  convents  of  France, 
and  the  restoration  of  peace  brought  the  stunning  mtelli- 
gence  that  Louisiana  had  been  ceded  to  Spain.     That  country 
did  not  for  some  years  enter  into  full  control,  and,  a^  we  have 
seen,  religion  languished.     When  Father  Cyril  de  Barcelona 
came  as  delegate  of  the  Bishop  of  Santiago  de  Cuba,  the 
Ursulines  hoped  that  the  sufferings  endured  for  years  would 
end;  but  intercourse  with  France  became  difficult,  and  the 
Sisters,  unable  any  longer  to  supply  members  to  co«t'«»«;" 
charge  of  the  hospital,  withdrew  from  it  January  1,  1770 
and  confined  themselves  to  the  care  of  their  Academy,  full  of 
confidence  that  God  would  not  abandon  so  ancient  an  institu- 
tion, and  one  so  important  to  the  colony.    This  was  their 
constant  and  fervent  prayer. 

In  1774  the  Bishop  of  Santiago  de  Cuba,  seeing  the  con- 
dition of  the  Ursulines,  their  decline  in  numbers,  their  pover- 
ty and  the  unpromising  prospect  before  them,  proposed  to 
the  King  of  Spain  to  transfer  the  whole  Community  to  Ha- 
vana,  where  conventual  buildings  already  existing  could  be 
placed  at  their  disposal,  and  where  their  Academy  would  be 
gladly  and  generously  supported  by  the  wealthy,  who  needed 
such  an  establishment  for  the  education  of  their  daughters. 


THE  URSU LINES. 


565 


Bishop  Echeverria  styles  the  Ureuline  Community  "the 
most  precious  part  of  his  flock,  worthy  by  their  institute, 
their  poverty,  and  the  part  they  take  in  his  pastoral  care," 
causing  him  to  regard  them  with  the  same  affection  that  a 
father  does  unfortunate  children.     "The  sad  condition  in 
which  I  behold  them,  the  difficulty  of  finding  a  remedy,  the 
expense  they  entail  on  your  Majesty's  treasury,  the  lack  of 
applicants  fitted  to  perpetuate  so  important  an  institute,  the 
inconvenience  of  employing  as  their  directors  priests  who 
could  be  1    tter  employed  elsewhere,  and  fear  of  seeing  their 
regular  observance  disappear  with  want  of  means  to  maintain 
it  have  caused  me  to  think  of  a  sure  expedient,  which  will  not 
appear  to  me  worthy  of  adoption,  till  it  has  been  sanctioned 
by  your  Majesty." ' 

Fortunately  for  this  country,  the  King  of  Spain  did  not 
enter  into  the  views  of  the  Bishop  of  Cuba,  and  Louisiana 
was  not  deprived  of  its  needed  convent. 

When  some  French  priests  were  returning  to  Europe,  the 
Superior  Mother  St.  James  interested  one  of  them.  Rev.  Mr. 
Aubert,  in  the  condition  of  the  house,  and  forwarded  by 
them  an  appeal  to  the  Ursulines  in  France.'  This  was  placed 
in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Anthony  Delaire,  Spanish  Consul  at 
Rochelle :  and  when  Rev.  Mr.  Aubert  succeeded  in  finding 
three  religious  ready  to  go  to  the  relief  of  their  Sisters  in 
New  Orleans,  he  applied  to  Count  Aranda,  the  Spanish  Min- 
ister at  Paris,  to  obtain  the  consent  of  the  Catholic  monarch.' 


*S  ti 


'  Right  Rev.  James  Joseph  Echeverria  to  the  King  of  Spain.  March 
26, 1774. 

» Conde  dc  Aranda  to  Conde  de  Floridablanca,  Paris,  September  3, 
1784 ;  Legajo,  8891. 

»  Same  to  same,  Paris.  September  13,  1784.  enclosing  letter  of  Aubert. 
Grenoble,  September  8,  1784. 


M    . 


W 


566  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

The  matter  was  examined  at  the  Spanish  Court,  and  no  diffi- 
culty waB  raised.'  The  three  rehgious  tbns  secured  by  the 
zeal  of  Rev.  Mr.  Aubert,  were  Mothers  St.  Xavier  St. 
Felicitas,  and  St.  Andrew,  all  professed  nuns,  who  under- 
took the  voyage  and  arrived  at  New  Orleans,  February  17, 

Meanwhile  Bishop  Cyril,  who  had  become  auxiliary  with 
control  of  Louisiana,  had  required  the  Commumty  to  re- 
ceive Spanish  postulants,  the  langtiage  of  all  their  exerc.scs 
had  become  Spanish,  and  a  new  Sui>eriur,  a  Spanish  lady, 
Mother  Monic,  wa.  at  the  head  of  the  house     She  was  re- 
luctant to  receive  the  nuns  from  France,  and  Bishop  Cynl 
was  not  pleased  with  their  coming.     But  the  three  Mothers 
were  finally  permitted  to  join  the  Community   taking  rank 
after  all  the  other  professed  in  the  house.     Bishop  Cyril  re- 
ferred the  whole  matter  to  the  King  of  Spain,  and  a  good 
priest  interceded  so  earnestly  for  them,  that  Charles  IV. 
considering  the  steps  they  had  taken  to  obtain  his  sanction 
before  leaving  France,  allowed  them  to  assume  their  prop- 
er  rank,  although  Bishop  Cyril  censured  the  Community  for 
acting  without  his  permission  and  forbade  the  reception  of 
anv  others  from  abroad,  a  regulation  enforced  till  1 791. 

The  Community  had  thus  become  Spsuiish  instead  ot 
French,  but  after  a  time  postulants  bom  in  the  colony  of 
French  origin  were  received.  .        ,     ,    j     * 

The  Spanish  government  allowed  Protestants  who  had  set- 
tled in  Florida  during  the  English  occupancy  to  remain,  but 
when  some  crt,sfied  into  Georgia  to  be  married,  complaints 
were  ma<1e,  and  the  king  issued  a  decree  on  the  30th  of  J^io- 
vember,  1792,  by  which  all  murriages,  where  one  or  both 


!: 


.  Don  J086  de  Galvez  to  Condc  de  Florldublauca,  September  21,  Octo- 
ber  28,  1784. 


fc 

a 

d 

P 

d 

I 
c 

i 


I   i 


RETIREMENT  OF  BISHOP  CYRIL. 


B67 


parties  were  Protestants,  were  required  to  be  celebrated  be- 
fore the  Catholic  priest.  He  was  not,  however,  to  pronounce 
the  formula  "  Ego  conjungo  vos,"  or  give  the  nuptial  bene- 
diction ;  but  wus  to  keep  a  special  register  of  these  marriages. 
All  baptisms  of  infants  were  to  be  performed  by  the  parish 
priest.     This  Edict  was  extended  also  to  Louisiana. 

The  decree  of  the  King  of  Spain  was  not  to  carry  out  any 
decision  of  the  Holy  See  or  of  Bishops  whose  action  was  ap- 
proved by  the  Pope ;  it  was  stated  expressly  that  he  pro- 
ceeded in  the  matter  "  as  Protector  of  the  Council  of  Trent, 
and  in  the  discharge  of  the  eminent  Patronage,  which  he  ex- 
ercises in  the  ecclesiastical  government  of  these  dominions, 
which  the  Vicars,  Parish  priests,  and  others  charged  with  the 
care  of  souls  in  the  provinces  of  Louisiana,  East  and  West 
Florida  are  to  observe  inviolably,  and  cause  to  be  observed 
and  fulfilled  by  those  under  their  care."  ' 

The  following  document  will  give  a  verj'  clear  idea  of  tl 
way  in  which  ecclesiastical  affairs  were  managed  in  Spanish 
America.     The  Congregation  de  Propaganda  Fide  had  no 
control ;  the  King  of  Spain,  under  the  bull  of  Pope  Julius 
IL,  decided  as  to  the  erection  of  new  dioceses  and  their 
limits,  provided   for  the  maintenance  of  the  bishop  and 
clergy,  and  made  the  episcopal  nominations.    The  case  was 
then  sent  to  Rome,  and  the  Holy  See,  in  most  cases,  ap- 
proved the  steps  taken,  created  the  new  bishopric,  and  pre- 
couized  the  bishop,  issuing  the  necessary  bulls  : 

"  Thk  King. 
«  Rev.  Father  in  Christ,  Don  Fray  Cirilo  de  Barcelona,  of 
my  Council,  Bishop  Auxiliary  of  the  diocese  of  Havana :  The 


i;^ 


.  Cedula  iBBued  San  Lorenzo.  30th  November,  1792,  ba.M  on  letter  of 
Governor  of  Florida,  April  20, 1792. 


[■■■'  'i 


^'fl 


668  I^IPE  Oi^  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

Eeverend  Bishop  thereof  having  under  date  of  December 
22d,  in  the  year  1Y91,  represented  to  me  tlie  deplorable  state 
of  religion  and  ecclesiastical  discipHne  in  the  province  of 
Louisiana,  excited  the  compassion  of  my  royal  mind,  and  in- 
duced me  to  deliberate  on  the  most  efficacious  means  to 
remedy  it :  with  this  view  I  directed  the  privy  council  of 
the  Indies,  by  my  royal  order  of  April  23d,  in  the  year  last 
past,  to  give  mo  their  opinion  whether  it  would  be  proper 
to  separate  that  province  and  Florida  from  his  diocese,  and 
establish  a  bishop  in  them  ;  and  having  done  so  in  the  con- 
sultation of  October  22d  in  the  same  year,  I  saw  fit  to  re- 
solve, in  conformity  with  their  opinion,  that  the  correspond- 
ent Brief  should  be  solicited  therefor.     His  Holiness  having 
agreed  thereto,  and  expedited  the  consistorial  decree  for  the 
deraembering  of  said  provinces,  and  a  new  erection  of  a 
bishopric  in  them,  under  date  of  April  25th  in  this  year,  and 
the  corresponding  step  having  been  taken  on  the  26th  of 
June  following  by  my  privy  Council,  I  have  resolved  also  to 
relieve  you  of  your  office  of  auxiliary  ;  and  direct  you  to  re- 
turn immediately  to  your  Capuchin  province  of  Catalonia, 
with  the  salary  of  one  thousand  dollars  a  year,  which  the  said 
reverend  Bishop  of  this  diocese  has  to  contribute  to  you  for 
the  days  of  your  life,  in  order  that  you  may  live  with  the 
decency  and  moderate  style,  which  becomes  your  character  of 
Auxiliary,  your  state  and  profession  as  a  Religious  Capuchin : 
for  such  is  my  will.     Done  at  San  Ix)renzo,  the  23d  day  of 
November,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-three. 

"  I,  THE  King. 

"  By  order  of  the  King, 

"  Antonio  Vent"  de  Taranco." 

This  peremptory  order  terminated  the  administration  and 
residence  of  Bishop   Cyril     f  Barcelona  in  Louisiana  and 


BISHOP  CYRWS  LATER  DAYS. 


569 


Florida.  He  returned  to  Havana,  and  wi&r  ■  o  have  re- 
mained there  with  the  Hospital  Friars,  a  rfLj,iou8  commu- 
nity, while  endeavoring  to  obtain  payment  of  his  salary  to 
enable  him  to  return  to  Europe  in  compliance  with  the 
king's  command.  He  seldom  left  the  city  except  in  the 
summer  heats,  when  he  retired  to  tlje  sugar  estate  of  the 
Fathers  at  Bauta.'  He  was  still  there  in  the  year  1Y99,  as 
the  king  on  the  30th  of  August  wrote  sharply  rebuking 
Bishop  Trespalacios  and  ordering  him  to  pay  the  $8,000  due 
Bishop  Cyril,  and  expressing  his  surprise  and  displeasure  that 
his  repeated  orders  had  been  disregarded. 

When  and  where  this  unfortunate  bishop  died,  I  have  not 
been  able  to  learn.  His  efforts  to  reform  abuses  and  scan- 
dals drew  on  him  ill-will  in  Louisiana,  and  modern  writers, 
palliating  the  prevailing  laxity  of  discipline  and  morals,  have 
presented  Bishop  Cyril  in  an  odious  light,  although  there  is 
not  the  slightest  evidence  of  any  facts  to  justify  their  as- 
sertions.' That  in  the  end  his  administration  did  not  please 
Bishop  Trespalacios  and  King  Charles  IV.  is  evident  from 
the  order  given  above,  and  the  harsh  banishment  to  his 
province. 

'  The  Fathers  preserved  in  the  Sacristy  of  their  Church  of  Belen  the 
portrait  of  this  first  resident  hishop  in  Louisiana.  When  the  church  and 
convent  passed  out  of  their  hands  this  painting  was  removed  to  the  old 
Hall  of  Conferences  in  the  University,  where  Seiior  Bachiller  y  Morales 
recollects  seeing  it  habitually  when  he  was  Dean  of  Philosophy.  Unfor- 
tunately it  has  now  disappeared,  and  efforts  to  trace  it  have  proved 
fruitless. 

»  Catholics  are  often  reproached  with  the  lax  morality  of  the  Church 
at  one  point  or  another.  Yet  those  who  make  the  charges,  as  in  this 
Ciwe,  extol  the  unworthy  priests  and  condemn  the  Bishops  who  endeavor 
to  reform  the  clergy  and  expel  unworthy  men  from  the  sanctuary.  With 
utter  shamelessness  writers  apply  the  epithet  "good"  to  the  licentious 
Dagobert  and  Scdella,  living  openly  in  concubinage,  and  stigmatize 
Bishop  ("yril,  a  man  of  spotless  life,  as  ambitioiis,  "  detested,"  "  the  bit- 
ter enemy  and  heartless  reviler  of  good  Father  Dagobert." 


■bT" 


570  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

Though  libertines  ia  his  time  and  some  historians  since 
have  depicted  the  bishop  in  harsh  colors,  the  eminent  and 
impartial  historian,  Antonio  BachiUer  y  Morales,  attests  that 
he  had  the  reputation  of  leading  a  life  of  hoUness  ai  sim- 
plicity, enjoying  especially  the  calm  solitude  of  the  country.' 

DIOCESE  OF  LOUISIANA   AND  THE  FLORIDAS. 

Notwithstanding  the  efforts  of  Bishop  Cyril  de  Barcelona, 
religion  had  made  but  little  progress  in  Louisiana,  and,  on 
the  application  already  given  from  the  King  of  Spam,  Pope 
Pius  VL,  on  the  25th  of  April,  1793,  issued  a  bull  in  winch 
after  citing  the  erection  of  the  see  of  St.  Christopher  of  Ha^ 
vana  and  the  fact  that  it  was  impossible  for  the  bishops  of 
that  see  to  watch  over  the  spiritual  interests  of  Lomsiana 
and  Florida,  which  had  been  made  subject  to  them,  he  pro- 
ceeded  to  give  as  a  reason  for  the  formation  of  those  prov- 
inces  into  a  separate  diocese,  the  «  miserable  state  of  religion 
and  ecclesiastical  discipline  in  them." 

The  bull  placed  the  diocese  under  a  bishop  who  was  to  re- 
Bide  at  New  Orieans,  and  who  was  to  have  a  chapter  consist- 
ing of  two  canons.  Their  salaries  and  the  pension  allowed 
to  Bishop  Cyril  were  to  be  paid  from  a  fund  contributed 
annually  in  specified  proportions  by  the  dioceses  of  Havana, 
Mechoacan,  Tlascala,  Mexico,  and  Venezuela. 

The  diocese  thus  created  was  bounded  on  the  north  and 


-  with  tu.  erection  of  the  dl,.cose  of  Louisiana  and  the  Florida  ended 
thoTuriKdictionof  BiKhop  Trespalaciosy  Verdeja^  /  «"J,  "^  *^  °  ^JJ' 
rdatiuK  esiKHially  to  Florida  or  Louisiana.  An  edict  o  M«^^h  ;?  1798 
onleS  he  following  to  Ik;  inserted  in  the  I.itany  of  Saint.  :  '  Lt  Ga  los 
int  r«  ncue  Eccfesim.  regiaxiue  poU-staUs.  et  eorum  rehelles  cona^s. 
IrimTrc.  humiliare  e.  m.bju.ure  digneris  To  ^<'g''7^»f '  "^•.. 
TOHW.u,protol.ly  so  recited  in  Florida.    BachiUer  y  Morales, '  Apuntcs. 

Havana,  1859.  lii..  p.  129. 


DIOCESE  OF  LOUISIANA,  ETC. 


671 


east  by  that  of  Baltimore,  and  on  the  south  and  west  by  those 
of  Linares  and  Durango. 

The  Ri^ht  Rev.  Louis  Pefialver  y  Cardenas,  who  was  pre- 
conized  as  the  first  Bishop  of  Louisiana  and  the  Floridas,  was  a 
priest  of  great  merit  and  experience,  and  perfectly  acquainted 
with  the  condition  of  the  flock  whom  he  was  called  to  direct. 
He  was  a  native  of  Havana,  bom  on  the  3d  of  April,  1Y19, 
of  a  noble  and  wealthy  family,  his  parents  being  Don  Diego 
Penalver  and  Maria  Louisa  de  Cardenas,  both  eminent  for 
their  charities  and  zeal."     Evincing  at  an  early  age  a  desire 
to  devote  himself  to  the  service  of  God  and  to  renounce  all 
worldly  advantages,  he  entered  the  Jesuit  College  of  St.  Ig- 
natius in  his  native  city,  and  was  pursuing  his  course  of 
philosophy  in  that  institution  when  the  Pragmatic  Sanction 
of  Charles  III.  closed  all  the  Colleges  of  the  Society  and 
drove  the  learned  religious  from  his  dominions.     Young 
Penalver  then  entered  the  University,  and  in  1771  received 
his  Doctor's  cap  in  theology. 

He  was  a  priest  of  irreproachable  life,  compassionate  to 
the  poor  and  afflicted,  and  as  director  of  an  Asylum,  showed 
skill  in  the  direction  of  souls.  The  Bishop  of  Santiago  de 
Cuba  employed  him  in  judicial  and  administrative  positions, 
in  which  he  became  versed  in  all  the  details  and  difficulties 
of  the  Church  in  Florida  and  Louisiana.  When  the  see  of 
St.  Christopher  was  erected  at  Havana  in  1789,  he  was  one 
of  the  priests  proposed  for  it,  and  when  that  diocese  was 
divided  four  years  later,  he  was  at  once  nominated  and  pre- 
conized  Bishop  of  Louisiana  and  the  Floridas.' 


.  They  contributed  largely  to  build  the  mngniflcent  church  connected 
with  the  Jesuit  College,  and  their  charities  were  admired  by  the  whole 
city.     Alegre.  "  Historia  de  la  Compaflia  de  Jesus  en  Nueva  Espafia, 
Mexico,  1842.  iii..  p.  296. 

«  BachiUer  y  Morales,  Sketch  of  Bishop  Pefialver  in  "  Apuntes  para 


ii: 


572     LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

Baron  de  Carondelet,  on  reaching  Lonieiana  as  governor, 
had  beheld  with  sorrowful  indignation  the  condition  of  re- 
ligion in  that  province,  and  Bishop  Cyril's  unavailing  efforts 
at  reform.    His  reports  found  scanty  credence,  and  he  looked 
anxiously  for  the  arrival  of  Dr.  Pefialver,  invested  with  all  the 
authority  of  a  diocesan  bishop.     He  wrote  on  the  19th  of 
January,  1794 :  "  I  regard  his  coxuing  to  these  provinces  as 
supreme'ly  necessary,  as  well  for  the  advancement  of  our  holy 
religion,  as  to  have  the  testimony  of  a  personage  of  this  high 
character  to  remove  the  doubts  that  have  arisen  as  to  the 
spirit  which  prompted  the  report  I  was  compelled  to  give 
from  zeal  for  religion,  and  unswayed  by  passion,^  and  that 
he  may  attest  the  strict  truth  on  which  it  is  based." 

After  receiving  episcopal  consecration.  Bishop  Penalver 
proceeded  to  New  Orieans,  which  was  assigned  as  the  place 
of  residence ;  he  soon  after  made  the  following  report : 

"  Sinc3  my  arrival  in  this  town  on  the  17th  of  July  (1795), 
I  have  been  studying  with  the  keenest  attention,  the  charac- 
ter of  its  inhabitants,  in  order  to  regulate  my  ecclesiastical 
government  in  accordance  with  the  information  which  I  may 
obtain  on  this  important  subject. 

"  On  the  2nd  of  August  I  began  the  discharge  of  my  episco- 
pal functions.  I  took  possession  without  any  difficulty  of  all  the 
buildings  appertaining  to  the  church,  and  examined  all  the 
books,  accounts,  and  other  matters  thereto  relating ;  but  as  to  re- 
establishing the  purity  of  religion  and  reforming  the  morals 
of  the  people,  which  are  the  chief  objects  which  the  Council 
of  Trent  had  in  view,  1  have  encountered  many  obstacles. 

'^^^^^^^^iZ^^^^^^^^Z^^^^  PP;  fl-2-  }^'^Xl 

unable  to  find  the  Bull  erecting  the  dioce«e.  I  iBnotinthe  Bu  larmm 
Romanum."  "  BuUarium  de  Propaganda  F«de/  nor  in  Herna^.  ColeC" 
clon  de  Bulas."  Neither  original  nor  copy  exists  at  New  Orleans.  1  de^ 
rived  some  facU  in  regard  to  it  from  a  memorandum  of  Rev.  Dr.  Charles 
1.  White. 


BISHOP  PESALVER'S  REPORT. 


578 


"  The  inhabitants  do  not  listen  to,  or,  if  they  do,  they  dis- 
regard, all  exhortations  to  maintain  the  Catholic  faith  in  its 
orthodoxy,  and  to  preserve  innocence  of  life.  But  without 
ceasing  to  pray  the  Father  of  all  mercies  to  send  his  light  into 
the  darkness  which  surrounds  these  people,  I  am  putting  into 
operation  human  means  to  remedy  these  evils,  and  I  will  sub- 
mit to  your  Excellency  those  which  I  deem  conducive  to  the 
interests  of  religion  and  of  the  State. 

"  Because  his  Majesty  tolerates  Protestants  here,  for  sound 
reasons  of  state,  bad  Catholics,  whose  numbers  are  great  in 
this  colony,  think  that  they  are  authorized  to  live  without 
any  religion  at  all.    Many  adults  die  without  havhig  re- 
ceived the  last  sacraments.    Out  of  the  eleven  thousand  souls 
composing  this  parish,  scarcely  three  or  four  hundred  com- 
ply with  the  obligation  of  receiving  the  Holy  Eucharist  at 
least  once  a  year.     Of  the  regiment  of  Louisiana  there  are 
not  above  thirty,  including  officers  and  soldiers,  who  have 
fulfilled  this  sacred  duty  for  the  last  three  years.    Not  more 
than  a  quarter  of  the  population  of  the  town  ever  hear  mass, 
and  then  only  on  Sundays  and  great  holidays  which  peremp- 
torily demand  it.     To  do  so  on  other  hohdays  they  deem  an 
act  of  supererogation  to  which  they  are  not  bound.     Most  of 
the  men,  married  and  unmarried,  live  in  a  state  of  concubi- 
nage, and  there  are  fathers  who  procure  mistresses  for  their 
Bons  to  divert  them  from  marrying.    Universal  custom,  ad- 
mitting of  very  rare  exceptions,  prevents  slaves  from  enter- 
ing the  marriage  state.     Fasting  on  Fridays  in  Lent,  on  vigils 
and  ember  days,  is  a  thing  unknown:  and  there  are  other 
evil   practices  which   show  how  little  religion  exists  here 
among  the  inhabitants,  and  which  demonstrate  that  there  re- 
mains in  their  bosoms  but  a  slight  spark  of  the  faith  infused 
into  them  at  the  baptismal  font. 

« I  presume  that  a  large  portion  of  these  people  are  vassals 


% 


■f  i 


ml 

m 


tail 


674  I^IPE  O^  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

of  the  king,  because  they  live  in  his  domain,  and  accept  his 
favors.  But  I  must  speak  the  truth.  His  Majesty  possesses 
their  bodies,  and  not  their  souls.  Rebellion  is  in  their  hearts, 
and  their  minds  are  imbued  with  the  maxims  of  democracy; 
and  had  they  not  for  their  chief,  a  man  as  active  and  ener- 
getic as  the  present  governor,  there  would  long  since  have 
been  an  eruption  of  the  pent-up  volcano ;  and  should  another 
less  sagacious  chief  ever  forget  the  fermenting  elements 
which  are  at  work  under  ground,  there  can  be  no  doubt  but 
that  there  would  be  an  explosion. 

"  Their  houses  are  full  of  books  written  against  religion  and 
the  State.  They  are  permitted  to  read  them  with  impunity, 
and  at  the  dinner-table  they  make  use  of  the  most  shameful, 
lascivious,  and  sacrilegious  songs. 

"  This  melancholy  sketch  of  the  religious  and  moral  customs 
and  condition  of  the  flock  which  has  fallen  to  my  lot,  will 
make  you  understand  the  cause  of  whatever  act  of  scandal 
may  suddenly  break  out,  which,  however,  I  shall  strive  to 
prevent ;  and  the  better  so  to  do,  I  have  used  and  am  still 
using  some  means,  which  I  intend  as  remedies,  and  which  I 
am  going  to  communicate  to  your  Excellency. 

"  The  Spanish  school  which  has  been  established  here  at 
the  expense  of  the  crown,  is  kept  as  it  ought  to  be ;  but  as 
there  are  others  which  are  French,  and  of  which  one  alone  is 
opened  bv  authority,  and  with  the  regular  license,  and  as  I 
was  ignorant  of  the  faith  professed  by  the  teachers  and  of 
their  morality,  I  have  prescribed  for  them  such  regulations 
as  are  in  conformiW  with  the  provisions  of  our  legislation. 

"  Excellent  results  are  obtained  from  the  convent  of  the 
Ursulines,  in  which  a  good  many  girls  are  educated  ;  but 
their  inclinations  are  so  decidedly  French,  that  they  have 
even  refused  to  admit  among  them  Spanish  women  who 
wished  to  Income  nuns,  so  long  as  these  applicants  should 


,m 


EIS  ''INSTF     .''ION." 


575 


remain  ignorant  of  the  French  idiom,  and  they  have  shed 
many  tears  on  account  of  their  being  obliged  to  read  their 
spiritual  exercises  in  Spanish  books,  and  to  comply  with  the 
other  duties  of  their  community  in  the  manner  prescribed  to 

them. 

"  This  is  the  nursery  of  those  future  matrons  who  will  in- 
culcate on  their  children  the  principles  which  they  here  im- 
bibe.    The  education  which  they  receive  in  this  institution 
is  the  cause  of  their  being  less  vicious  than  the  other  sex. 
As  to  what  the  boys  are  taught  in  the  Spanish  school,  it  is 
soon  forgotten.     Should  their  education  be  continued  in  a 
college,  they  would  be  confirmed  in  their  religious  principles, 
in  the  good  habits  given  to  them,  and  in  their  loyalty  as 
faithful  vassals  to  the  crown.    But  they  leave  the  school  when 
still  very  young,  and  return  to  the  houses  of  their  parents 
mostly  situated  in  the  country,  where  they  hear  neither  the 
name  of  God  nor  of  king,  but  daily  witness  the  corrupt  mor- 
als of  their  parents."  ^ 

Soon  after  taking  possession  of  his  diocese,  Bishop  Penal- 
ver,  on  the  21st  of  I^ecember,  1795,  issued  to  the  clergy 
under  his  jurisdiction  a  document  entitled  "  Instruccion  para 
el  govienio  de  los  Parrocos  de  la  Diocesi  de  la  Luisiana"— 
"Instruction  which  we  form  for  the  government  of  the 
Parish  priests  of  the  diocese  of  Louisiana,"  until  time  and 
circumstances  permit  the  celebration  of  a  synod  to  regulate 
ecclesiastical  matters. 

"  1.  Since  we  arrived  in  this  diocese  we  have  not  lost  sight 
of  the  spiritual  good  of  the  sheep  placed  under  our  care, 
some  of  whom  are  at  a  distance  of  five  hundred  leagues,  and 
it  is  impossible  to  repair  at  one  and  the  same  time  to  all 


•  Bishop  Peftalver,  November  1,  1795,  in  Gayarre.  "  History  of  Louis- 
iana. Spanish  Domination,"  p.  376.  I  have  altered  the  phraseology 
somewhat  to  make  it  intelligible. 


•  «'• 

i 


ntf^ 


<!ffl 


078 


UFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


parts ;  hence  we  direct  our  voice  from  here  to  the  PariBh 
priests  by  means  of  this  Instruction,  which  at  the  same  time 
that  it  reminds  them  of  their  duties,  by  keeping  them  more 
in  sight,  will  encourage  and  animate  all  to  fulfil  them. 

"  2.  The  Parish  priests  are  the  rectors,  pastors,  and  spirit- 
ual physicians  of  the  flock  of  Jesus  Christ,  on  them  tlie 
faithful  fix  their  eyes,  hence  it  is  necessary  that  they  find  no 
vices  to  stain  them,  and  that  their  example  as  well  as  their 
p.-eaching  may  excite  some  to  penance  and  animate  others  in 
the  path  of  virtue ;  with  this  object  we  warn  the  parish 
priests  of  our  diocese,  that  considering  the  strict  account 
which  they  will  have  to  render  of  the  souls  confided  to  them, 
they  should  live  in  such  a  manner  as  not  to  cause  their  ruin, 
should  comfort  them  by  their  words  and  the  good  odor  of 
their  virtues,  hoping  with  an  humble  confidence  the  reward 

of  their  labors. 

"  3.  It  will  become  them  so  to  walk  that  neither  their 
gravity  render  them  odious,  nor  undue  familiarity  contempt- 
ible :  let  them  visit  rarely,  and  endeavor  that  in  most  cases 
it  be  for  the  discharge  of  their  ministry." 

He  then  enjoined  residence  in  their  parishes,  study  of  the 
Catechism  of  the  Council  of  Trent  and  Roman  Ritual, 
promptness  in  administering  the  sacraments,  and  visiting 
the  sick,  to  prepare  them  for  death.    He  urges  every  priest 
to  visit  any  parishioner  who  has  been  sick  for  two  or  three 
days ;  to  see  that  the  royal  cedula  of  February  11, 1671,  is 
carried  out  in  making  wills ;  to  use  brotheriy  correction  in 
the  case  of  scandals,  reporting  obstinate  cases  to  the  author- 
ities and  the  Bishop ;  to  observe  the  law  in  regard  to  mar- 
ried men  whose  wives  are  living  outside  the  parish ;  to  main- 
tain friendly  relations  with  the  governors  and  commandants ; 
to  be  watchful  that  the  royal  revenues  are  paid  ;  not  to  fo- 
ment dissensions,  but  to  try  to  prevent  litigation  :  to  recon- 


S7» 


/.// 


Op  CAIiliOLL. 


tiieuL. 


.a;   ,.,n 


from  lit )     l'»  tha  Parish 
•  .n,  wiiicli  at  t!  •;  ttiwie  time 
that  it  reminds  tl»*Mi»  id  their  dutiida,  hy  keeping  thei 
in  hight,  ■.  'irajje  and  animau^  all  to  fulfil  them. 

u  2.  Ti  '"*  *'^<''  '■«<,'tur>,  pastoii*,  and  spiiii- 

nal  phvsi.,us.  '•*  J<-^»»  ^i^'  ^*'  «»  ^'"'"'  ^'*'' 

faithful  tix  th, ,:  .  a  i«  necomiry  that  they  tt-'i  no 

vi<v^  U>  HUin  thetn,  aiul  li,*'  their  example.  a»  well  a»  «  -ir 
pro^'.hing  may  excite  some  u>  penance  and  animate  others  m 
the  path  of  virtue ;  with  this  ohject  we  wai-n  the  p»ri<^h 
prii^ts  of  our  diocese,  that  considtiring  the  strict  account 
which  they  will  have  to  render  of  the  souls  coniidt.'d  Uj  them, 
t'ley  should  live  in  Buch  a  manner  as  not  to  canse  their  ruin, 
Bhould  comfort  tliem  hy  their  words  and  the  good  odor  of 
their  virtues,  hoping  with  an  humble  eontidence  the  reward 

of  their  la'oors. 

"3.  It  will  b<K!ome  them  eo  to  walk  that  neither  thtu- 
{gravity  reoder  them  odious,  nor  undue  familiarity  oontempt- 
ible :  let  them  visit  rarely,  and  endeavor  that  in  mont  cawis 

f,e  ^  the  discharge  of  their  miniptry." 

Hv        n  enjoined  residence  in  their  parishes,  study  of  the 
Catech-'KUi    ..f   the   Council   ..f   Tv.'v.t   and    H^man    Kitnal, 
promptness  in  administering  the  oacraments,  and   vifiitiag 
the  sick,  to  prepare  them  for  death.     He  urges  every  priest 
to  vi«it  any  parishioner  who  has  been  sick  for  two  or  three 
days;  to  «eo  that  the  royal  cednla  of  Februirv  lU  I'mI,  i^ 
«irriHi  Mui    in  making  willfi ;  to  U8(nm:.thei!y  coireetion  in 
tlio  case  of  Si-aii.lals,  reporting  olmtinate  eases  t<,  the  author- 
ities and  the  Bishol> ;  to  observe  the  law  in  regtmi  to  mar- 
ried men  whose  wives  arc  living  out*^'de  the  parish  ;  to  main-    . 
tain  f riomily  relationu  with  tlie  j^nv,    ■:         s.i  .■..lauuni.!;.-,!^  ; 
tob.  itil  that  the  royal  revenu.  -  ure  paid  ;  not  to  fo-. 

ment  dieseuBion^,  but  to  try  to  prev.iut  litigation  ;  to  recou- 


R^  REV.  lUIS   PENALVER   Y  CARDENAS. 

BISHOP   OF  LOUISIAN.^  AND   TH£ 
FLORIOAS, 


'I 

t 


Im 


HIS  '^instruction: 


577 


cile  married  persons  living  at  varia^^ce  and  apart ;  not  to 
exercise  the  nunistry  beyond  the  limits  of  his  parish ;  to 
make  an  annual  report  of  the  number  of  the  faithful  as 
■directed  in  his  circular  of  September  3d ;  to  report  those 
failing  to  make  their  Easter  duty  ;  to  offer  the  mass  on  Sun- 
days and  holidays  for  their  people  ;  to  teach  catechism  and 
correct  vices  ;  not  to  neglect  this  instruction  on  the  ground 
that  there  are  public  schools.    The  parish  priests,  to  the  exclu- 
sion of  regulars  whose  powers  are  revoked,  are  to  give  the 
Easter  communion ;  announcement  of  the  Paschal  obligation 
to  be  made  on  the  first  Sunday  of  Lent,  and  a  report  of  de- 
linquents made  after  Trinity  Sunday  ;  the  parish  priest  is  to 
visit  those  whose  sickness  prevented  coming  to  Easter  com- 
munion, to  administer  it  to  them.     Priests  carrying  Holy 
Communion  to  sick  persons  at  a  distance  in  the  country  are 
to  go  on  horseback  with  surplice  and  stole,  bareheaded,  the 
Blessed  Sacrament  in  a  reliquary  inclosed  in  a  bag  hung 
around  the  neck  by  a  cord,  two  attendants  with  lanterns,  and 
an  ombrellino.     They  are  urged  to  read  and  observe  the  de- 
crees of  the  Council  of  Trent  in  regard  to  confessions :  which 
are  not  to  be  heard  in  private  houses  except  in  case  of  sick- 
ness ;  marriages  to  be  celebrated  in  church  ;  those  wishing  to 
be  married  to  give  a  statement  of  name,  age,  condition, 
parents,  etc. ;  two  witnesses  to  be  required ;  permission  of 
parents  or  legal  authority  to  be  shown  ;  rules  are  given  for 
the  case  of  transient  persons ;  for  the  banns ;  mixed  mar- 
riages:   and  marriages  between  Protestants;  in  regard  to 
registers  of  baptisms,  marriages,  and  interments.     The  39th 
forbade  the  practice  of  giving  private  baptism  when  there  was 
no  danger  of  death,  and  required  children  to  be  brought  to 
the  church  to  be  baptized  within  eight  days  after  birth  ; 
parish  priests  arc  not  to  delegate  powers  without  necessity  ; 
the  powers  of  assistant  priests  (tenientes)  are  defined,  mass 
25 


•if 


M 


\m 


m 


678 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


to  be  said  at  convenient  hours,  announcements  to  be  made, 
catechism  taught ;  rules  are  given  as  to  high  mass  and  the 
ringing  of  the  bells ;  as  to  the  care  of  tabernacle,  the  renewal 
of  the  host,  care  of  vestments,  sanctuary  lamp,  etc.     The 
Blessed  Sacrament  was  to  be  exposed  only  on  Corpus  Christi 
and  its  octave,  Quinquagesima  Sunday,  and  the  two  days  fol- 
lowing ;  the  third  Sunday  of  every  month.     Twenty  wax 
candles  were  to  be  lighted.     Vessels  for  holy  oils  to  be  sent 
'  in  advance  to  the  bishop  every  year.    Parish  priests  were  not 
to  allow  questors  going  around  with  pious  pictures  asking 
alms.     Perpetual  burial  rights  were  not  to  be  granted  to  any 
person  or  family  by  the  parish  priests ;  such  requests  were  to 
be  referred  to  the  bishop.     Directions  are  given  as  to  schools, 
which  were  to  be  by  license  from  the  civil  authorities,  the 
Ecclesiastical  to  decide  on  the  qualifications  of  the  teachers 
in  religion,  life,  and  manners  ;  watchfulness  over  the  schools 
enjoined  ;  the  neglect  of  the  Indians  in  the  upper  country 
and  Florida  is  censured  ;  and  parish  priests  are  urged  to  zeal 
in  the  matter.    The  right  of  sanctuary  is  regulated.    The 
right  cf  the  major-domo  de  Fabrica  to  expend  money  for  the 
church  is  limited  to  |5  :  over  that  amount  the  consent  of  the 
parish  priest  is  made  necessary.     Fees  for  burials,  etc.,  and 
legacies  to  the  clergy  are  regulated.    Parish  priests  in  danger 
of  death  were  to  summon  the  nearest  parish  priest  to  prepare 
them  for  death  and  take  charge  of  parish,  church,  records,  etc. 
Where  no  directions  are  given  the  Synod  of  the  diocese  of 
Santiago  de  Cuba  is  to  be  followed.' 

IMshop  PeHalver  began  a  visitation  of  his  diocese  soon 
after  he  reached  New  Orleans;  we  find  him  at  Il)erville, 


'  I  am  Indebted  to  RiRht  Rev.  .lohn  Moore,  D.D.,  IMshop  of  St.  A>i- 
jjustine,  for  two  coiitemporuneous  copies  of  thcHC  Instructions.  Tlicy 
are  printed  in  full,  with  ii  trunslation,  in  the  "  U.  8.  Catholic  llintoricul 
Maga7.ine."l.,  pp.  417,  etc. 


1*!^ 


REPORT  ON  VISITATION. 


579 


April  21,  1796 ;  Natchitoches,  November  8,  1796 ;  Pensa- 
cola,  May  7,  1798.  Unfortunately  the  records  of  his  admin- 
istration have  all  perished,  and  only  a  fev^  isolated  details  can 
be  gathered. 

In  1799  Bishop  Peflalver  thus  described  the  state  of  his 
diocese : 

"The  emigration  from  the  western  part  of  the  United 
States  and  the  toleration  of  our  Government  have  introduced 
into  this  colony  a  gang  of  adventurers  who  have  no  religion 
and  acknowledge  no  God,  and  tliey  have  made  the  morals  of 
our  people  much  worse,  by  intercourse  with  them  in  trade. 
A  lodge  of  Freemasons  has  been  formed  in  one  of  the  sub- 
urbs of  the  city,  and  counts  amongst  its  members,  officers  of 
the  gaiTison  and  of  the  civil  administration,  merchantb,  na- 
tives, and  foreigners.  Their  secret  meetings  on  fixed  days, 
on  which  they  perform  their  functions,  as  well  as  other  cir- 
cumstances, f^ive  to  this  association  a  suspicious  and  criminal 
appearance. 

"The  adventurers  I  speak  of  have  scattered  themselves 
over  the  districts  of  Attakapas,  Opelousas,  Ouachita,  and 
Natchitoches  in  the  vicinity  of  the  province  of  Texas,  in 
New  Spain ;  they  protect  their  houses  with  Indians,  hold 
conferences  with  them,  and  fill  their  minds  with  dangerous 
ideas,  in  harmony  with  their  own  restless,  ambitious  charac- 
ter, and  the  ties  they  observe  with  their  own  Western  coun- 
trymen, who  have  a  custom  of  patting  their  sons  on  the 
shoulder,  when  they  are  very  stout,  saying :  '  You  will  go  to 
Mexico.' 

"  Such  is  the  case  with  the  upper  part  of  the  Mississippi, 
with  the  district  of  Illinois  and  the  adjacent  territory,  in 
which  there  has  been  a  remarkable  introduction  of  those  ad- 
venturers, who  penetrate  even  into  New  Mexico.  This  evil, 
in  my  opinion,  can  be  remedied  only  by  not  permitting  the 


ik 


•ll] 

i 


V      A^'l 


•A\ 


1 


1  ;;l 
i  Hi 


580 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


made  at  the  points  al- 


slightest  American  settlement  to 

ready  designated  nor  on  any  part  of  Red  Kiver.  ' 

"The  parishes  which  were  religiously  disposed  are  losing 
their  faith  and  their  old  customs:  the  number  of  the  faithful 
who  receive  the  Holy  Eucharist  at  Easter  decreases ;  and  the 
people  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  the  admonitions  of  their  clergy. 

"It  is  true  that  the  same  resistance  to  religion  has  always 
manifested  itself  here,  but  never  with  such  scandal  as  now 
prevails  The  military  otticers  and  a  good  many  of  the  m- 
habitants  live  almost  publicly  with  colored  concubines,  and 
they  are  not  ashamed  to  carry  the  illegitimate  issue  they 
have  by  them  to  be  recorded  in  the  parochial  register  as  the.r 

natural  children." '  . 

Bishop  Penalver  everywhere  showed  himself  active  m  the 
cause  of  education  and  industrial  progress,  and  a  liberal  bene- 
factor of  the  poor.  His  administration  in  New  Orleans  was, 
however,  so  thwarted  and  hampered  that  he  created  no  great 
public  institution  there,  as  he  did  at  Guatemala  and  Havana 
He  however,  did  much  to  extend  the  schools  connected 
with  the  Ursuline  Convent,  and  enriched  many  churches  of 
his  diocese  with  plate  and  vestments  to  give  dignity  to  the 

divine  worship.' 

On  the  20th  of  Julv,  1801,  Bishop  Pefialver  was  promoted 
to  the  archiepiscopal  see  of  Guatemala/     When  he  departed 


-  Gayarre.  "  History  of  Louisiana.  Spanish  Domination,"  New  York. 

1854,  pp.  4*17-9.  .     .    ,      T   .       "Ho 

»  Bachiller  y  Morales.  -  Apuntes  para  la  IHstoria  de  las  Letras.    Ha- 

vana,  IWO,  iii..  pp.  41-9. 

•Oanis  "Sories  Kpiwopnrum,"  Ilatisbonne.  lfl<3,  p.  1.4.  Hishop 
P..fiarv"r'both  in  L..uisiana  and  Guatemala  took  a  de.p  interest  m  educa- 
Uon  I  d  e  Lore.l  to  extend  it.  He  was  .dso  interested  in  all  .mprove- 
m "rfn  .riculture,  manufactures,  and  travelling  faci  .t.es.  Riy-n^  - 
roumKem  "it  to  all.  He  e.sUU.lished  schools  and  founded  n  hospital  at  his 
own  ex7n^  in  Guatemala,  and  after  he  resigned  th..  anhiep.seopal  see. 


BISHOP  PORRO. 


681 


the  administration  devolved  on  the  head  of  his  Cathedral 
chapter,  the  Canon  Thomas  Hassett.  This  administrator  was 
recognized  by  the  clergy  and  by  the  Spanish  authorities  as 
"  Governor  of  the  diocese." 

To  fill  the  vacant  see,  Father  Francis  Porro  y  Peinado,  a 
Franciscan  of  the  Convent  dei  Santi  Apostoli  at  Rome,  was 
nominated  and  duly  appointed,  but  as  it  became  apparent 
that  Spain  would  soon  relinquish  the  province  of  Louisi- 
ana to  other  hands,  he  was  translated  to  the  see  of  Tarra- 

zona.' 

The  Spanish  king  had  by  the  treaty  of  San  Ildefonso  (Oc- 
tober 1,  1800),  promised  and  engaged  to  retrocede  Louisiana 
to  the  French  Republic,  six  months  after  the  execution  of 
certain  conditions  and  stipulations  on  the  part  of  France,  and 
this  prevented  any  active  steps  for  the  good  of  religion. 
Without  waiting  for  the  actual  transfer  of  the  province  by 
Spain,  Bonaparte,  then  iirst  Consul,  ceded  Louisiana  to  the 
United  States  by  the  treaty  of  Paris,  April  30,  1803." 

De  Laussat,  Commissioner  of  the  French  RepubUc,  had 
already  on  the  26th  of  March,  1803,  reached  New  Orleans 
to  take  possession  of  the  province.  Spain  prepared  to  evacu- 
ate the  country  and  general  confusion  prevailed. 

The  Spanish  Government,  it  is  evident,  wished  to  with- 
draw all  its  own  natural  subjects  from  the  province,  and  a 
priest  is  said  to  have  been  sent  to  Terre  aux  Bceufs  to  urge 

March  1  1806,  he  founded  at  Havana  the  Casa  de  Benificencia  with  ita 
school  for  girls,  bearing  all  the  cost  liimself.  He  died-at  Havana,  July 
17  1810  and  by  his  will  bequeathed  much  to  educational  institutions  and 
*300  000  to  the  poor.  Bachiller  y  Morales,  "  Apuntes,"  pp.  43-5.  His 
funeral  oration  was  pronounced  by  the  Dominican  Father  Manuel  Que- 
sada,  Havana,  1815,  4to,  13  pp. 

>  Bishop  Portier  in  Spalding's  "  Life  of  Bishop  Flaget,"  p.  162  ;  Bish- 
op Bourget  to  Henry  de  Courcy,  1855  ;  Gams,  pp.  174-9. 

•  Gayarre,  "  History  of  Louisiana,"  New  York,  1854,  pp.  640-2. 


,P.' 


i: 


;  ' 


'I 


582  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

the  natives  of  the  Canary  Islands  who  had  settled  there  to 
remove  to  another  Spanish  colony.  The  Very  Rev.  Thomas 
Hassett,  the  administrator  of  the  diocese,  was  also  directed  to 
address  each  priest  to  ascertain  whether  he  wished  to  retire 
with  the  Spanish  forces  or  preferred  to  remain  in  Louisiana. 
He  was  also  to  obtain  from  each  parish  an  inventory  of  all 
plate,  vestments,  and  other  articles  in  each  church  which  had 
been  given  by  the  Spanish  Government,  evidently  ^v^th  a 
view  to  their  removal.  -  ,     ^^u     * 

The  administrator  issued  a  circular  letter  about  the  10th  ot 
June  1803.  Several  priests  at  once  signitied  their  choice  to 
follow  the  Spanish  standard;  among  them  were  Rev.  Louis 
Buhot,  parish  priest  of  St.  Landry  at  Opelousas;  the  Recollect 
Father  L.  Lusson,  parish  priest  of  St.  Charles;  Rev.  Peter 
Janin,  parish  priest  of  St.  Louis ;  Rev.  James  Maxwell,  parish 
priest  of  St.  Genevieve.' 

The  administrator  of  the  diocese  of  Louisiana,  Rev.  Tliomas 
Hassett,  wrote  to  Bishop  Carroll,  the  only  Catholic  bishop 
under  the  American  flag,  which  was  soon  to  be  raised  m 

Louisiana: 

"Nkw  Orleans,  Decemb'  y"  23"  180^. 

"  My  Lord  : 

"The  retrocession  of  this  province  to  the  French  Republic 

having  taken  place  the  30"'  nlf'"'  and  the  same  being  since  ceded 

to  tlie  U.  S.  of  America,  are  circumstances  that  induce  me  to 


1  Rev  Louis  Buhot  to  Very  Rev.  Thomas  Unsselt,  October  15,  1808  ; 
Rev  L  "lussou  to  Bame,  DcccmlKT  19,  1803  ;  Rev.  Peter  Janin  to  Hanie, 
December  20,  1803  ;  Rev.  James  Maxwell  to  same.  Similar  letters  were 
evidently  sent  from  other  parishes.  ,  ,        ,  , 

The  cluirch  at  St.  Charles  had  6  chasubles.  4  albs,  with  amices  and 
einctures  •  but  the  parish  priest  did  not  know  whether  they  belong.-d  to 
the  Btatc  or  to  the  estate  of  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Didier ;  a  ciborium  certainly 
•lid  l>el()ng  to  the  late  Mr.  Didier,  and  the  chalice  to  the  church  at  St. 
Louis. 


rmM 


CANON  HASSETT'S  ACCOUNT. 


583 


acquaint  your  Lordship  without  loss  of  time  and  briefly  as 
possible,  of  the  present  Ecclesiastical  state  of  this  portion  of 
my  jurisdiction,  not  doubting,  but  it  will  very  soon  fall  under 
your  Lordship's. 

''The  ceded  province  consists  of  21  parishes,  including 
this  of  N.  Orleans,  of  w=''  some  are  vacant,  owing  to  the 
scarcity  of  Ministers :  the  Irish  priests  enjoy  40  D'  salary  p' 
month  from  the  King,  and  the  Spaniards,  French,  &c.,  30, 
besides  the  obventions  arising  from  the  publick  acts  of  their 
parochial  functions,  such  as  funerals,  marriages,  &c.,  and 
established  by  tarif :    the  functionarys  are  allowed  each  a 
dwelling  house,  and  a  few  acres  of  land  by  their  respective 
flocks :  none  has  a  coadjutor  except  the  parish  priest  of  N. 
Orleans  who  is  allowed  four,  and  enjoy  25  dollars  each  p 
month,  together  with  their  share  of  obventions,  which  are 
equally  divided  between  the  Priest  and  them. 

"  Previous  to  the  retrocession  the  Spanish  commissioners 
have  explored  oflicially  the  wills  of  all  those  that  derive  from 
his  C.  Majesty  and  are  employed  in  his  service :  the  Ecclesi- 
asticks  being  of  the  number,  I  found  on  examination  that 
out  of  20  that  have  been  at  y'  time  in  y"  Capital  and  province, 
only  four  have  agreed  to  continue  in  their  respective  stations 
under  French  government,  and  whether  many  more  than  the 
same  number  will  remain  under  that  of  the  U.  S.,  God  only 
knows;  whereas  although  the  service  of  Almighty  God  and 
the  particular  necessity  of  y"  portion  of  his  vineyard  are  mo- 
tives y"  most  cogent  on  one  hand  to  engage  all,  not  only  to 
continue  their  labours  here,  but  also  to  redouble 'their  zeal  in 
the  execution  of  their  sacred  functions,  yet  y^  Lordship  well 
knows  that  the  Amor  Patrice,  and  the  King's  bountey  (offered 
to  be  continued  to  all  those  that  followed  his  collours)  are  al- 
lureing  and  flattering  ones  on  the  other.     As  for  my  own 
part,  1  candidly  assure  y'  Lordship  that  T  find  myself  m  a 


.'.IH 


"  'I 


M 


584 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


m 


a    if 
i    ^i 


M 


most  disagreeable  dilemma,  obliged  to  leave  the  coimtrey  on 
account  of  my  weak  aud  declining  state  of  health,  and  repair 
to  some  other  climate  more  suitable  to  my  constitution,  not- 
withstanding the  ardent  desires  I  have  of  being  serviceable 
in  my  present  situation,  besides  my  place  of  Canon,  I  can- 
not warrantably  or  with  any  degree  of  propriety  relinquish 
and  consequently  only  wait  for  superior  orders  to  take  my 
departure  hence. 

"The  Rev''  Mr.  Pat"*  "Walsh  Vicar-General  &  auxiliary 
Gov^  of  y"  diocese,  justly  entitled  (as  he  really  is)  to  a  recom- 
|X!nce  for  his  long  8er\-ices,  aud  unwearied  zeal  in  the  service 
of  God  &  his  country,  may  hourly  expect  a  competent  one 
from  our  Sovereign;  but  yet  declares  when  he  leaves  y« 
country,  he  will  consider  himself,  as  in  a  manner,  torn  from 
it  for  the  reasons  above  mentioned,  aud  assures  that  he  is  de- 
termined not  to  abandon  his  post  as  long  as  he  can  with  pro- 
priety hold  it,  not  being  in  the  least  influenced  by  motives 
of  interest  or  aggrandizement  so  to  be. 

"I  forgot  to  mention  y'  y"  Cathedral  Church  possesses 
some  property  arising  from  houses  thereunto  appertaining. 
It  is  a  decent  temi)le  and  decently  supplyed  w'"  ornaments 
&c.,  necessary  for  divine  service.  The  country  churches  are 
also  on  a  tolerable  good  footing.  Mr.  Walsh  desires  to  l)e  most 
affec''  rememb'  to  y'  Lordship  &  says  he  will  write  to  you  by 
next  opp'.     I  have  the  honour  to  be  with  the  highest  respect. 

My  Lord, 

"  Y'  Lordships  most  obed'  humb"  serv', 

"  E^  Rev.  D"-  John  Carroll.  .  Thomas  IIassett." 

On  the  nth  of  April,  1804,  the  Very  Rev.  Thomas  IIas- 
sett gave  faculties  to  the  Rev.  Peter  de  Zamora,  who  had 
come  to  Louisiana  with  the  Marquis  de  Casa  Calvo,  and  who 
had  been  assigned  as  chaplain  to  a  Louisiana  regiment  on  its. 


DEPARTURE  OF  SOME  URSULINES. 


585 


way  to  Pcnsacola.'     It  was  one  of  his  last  acts.     He  died  in 
the  month  of  April,  ISO-t. 

Bishop  Penalver,  on  leaving  the  diocese  for  Guatemala,  had 
established  Canon  Hassett  and  the  Eev.  Patrick  Walsh  as 
administrators.  The  latter  had  been  in  Louisiana  for  twelve 
years,  and  had  been  constantly  employed  in  the  government 
of  the  diocese,  for  which  his  perfect  knowledge  of  the  three 
prevailing  languages— French,  Spanish,  and  Englisli— espe- 
cially fitted  him.  His  authority  was  disputed,  however,  by 
Father  Antonio  Sedella,  parish  priest  of  New  Orleans,  who 
claimed  to  be  independent  of  him.  Troubles  and  litigation 
ensued,  the  unworthy  priest  finding  many  to  support  him.' 

Rev.  Mr.  "Walsh  withdrew  the  faculties  from  Sedella  and 
his  pretended  vicars,  corrupt  and  scandalous  priests,  and  es- 
tablished the  Convent  of  the  Ursuline  Nuns  as  the  only  place 
in  the  parish  for  the  administration  of  the  sacraments  and 
the  celebration  of  the  Divine  Offices. 

"When   the  Spanish   authorities  withdrew,  many  of  the 
clergy  accompanied  them.     The  question  had  been  mourn- 
fully discussed  in  the  quiet  cloisters  of  the  Ursuline  Nuns. 
The  Community  consisted  of  twenty-two  choir  nuns,  nine  of 
whom  were  Spanish,  and  of  five  lay  sisters.     Some  wished  to 
sell  everything  and  retire  with  the  Spanish  authorities  :  and 
a  report  that  Mr.  Laussat  would  seize  all  their  property  in 
the  name  of  the  French  Republic  filled  them  with  alarm. 
Those  in  favor  of  emigrating  applied  to  Yery  Rev.  Mr.  Has- 
sett for  permission  to  sell ;  this  part  of  the  Community  com- 
prised thirteen  nuns,  who  wished  the  property  sold  and  their 
dowries  returned  to  them,  while  only  six  professed  a  readi- 


>  Rev.  Mr.  Espinasse  to  Bishop  Carroll,  New  Orleans,  September  12, 

1804. 

■'  Rev  P  Walsh  to  Marquis  of  Casa  Calvo,  April  26, 1804  ;  Very  Rev. 
.John  Olivier  to  Bishop  Carroll,  New  Orleans.  February  28, 1807. 
25* 


-tl 


V  I 


I    i 


{8M) 


Hi 


I 


THE  VRSULINES. 


587 


Si 
PS 

o 

<! 

a 

a 


ness  to  remain  and  continue  the  work  of  their  institute  in  the 
education  of  girls. 

When  Mr.  Lauesat  arrived,  the  question  as  to  the  future  of 
the  convent  was  put  to  him.  He  replied  :  "  It  will  remain 
as  it  is,  with  all  its  possessions."  This  consoling  and  unex- 
pected intelligence  was  sent  by  a  special  messenger  to  the 
convent.  When  the  colonial  authorities  met  him  and  put 
the  same  question  formally,  he  replied  :  ''  Let  the  nuns  feel 
no  alarm  ;  they  shall  remain  as  they  are,"  and  he  re(|ue3ted  the 
Governor  and  another  official  to  assure  the  Ursulines  of  this. 
Joy  pervaded  the  convent,  and  throughout  the  city  the  cry 
was  heard  :  "  Our  nuns  are  going  to  stay."  The  Community 
felt  that  their  Patroness,  the  Blessed  Virgin,  had  thrown  her 
powcful  protection  aroiind  them. 

Tlvi  Prefect  came  in  person  to  the  convent  on  the  13th  of 
Apn'  and  said  :  "  Ladies,  the  need  which  the  ('olony  has  of 
yod,  the  good  you  are  doing  here,  the  public  esteem  which 
you  enjoy  and  which  is  so  justly  due  to  you,  has  come  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  French  Goveniment,  which  has  decreed 
that  you  shall  be  maintained  with  all  your  property,  and  as 
you  are.    Yoxi  shall  be  the  coadjutors  of  government  in  main- 
taining sound  morals,  ar;d  the  government  will  uphold  you." 
Notwithstanding  this,  Mother  St.  Mcmica  and  several  others 
declared  their  intention  of  proceeding  to  Havana.    Mr.  Laus- 
sat  used  every  persuasion  to  induce  them  to  remain,  assuring 
them  that  a  formal  decree  was  on  its  way  from  France. 
When  the  Marquis  de  Casa  Calvo  arrived  they  applied  to 
him  to  <'onvey  them  to  Havana,  and  on  the  29th  of  May, 
Mother  St.  Monica,  a  Spanish  lady,  with  eleven  others — 
French,  Louisianian,  Scotch,  and  Spanish — with  nearly  all 
the  lay  sisters,  passed  out  of  the  portals  of  the  church.' 


'  "  Relation  de  ce  qui  s'est  passe  dans  ce  Monast^re  t  I'epoque  de  la 


It! 

5     < 


'    ,1 


688 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


A  sad  little  group  of  six  choir  nuns  and  two  lay  sisters  re- 
mained, full  of  courage,  but  looking  only  to  the  protection 
of  Heaven  to  sustain  them  in  the  trials  which  they  could  but 
expect.  They  elected  Mother  St.  Xavier  Fargeon  as  Supe- 
rior, and  resumed  all  the  exercises  of  community  life,  main- 
taining their  Academy,  Orphan  Asylums,  Day-school,  and 
instructions  to  colored  people. 

Thus  was  this  venerable  institution  saved  for  religion  in 
Louisiana. 

On  the  20th  of  December,  1803,  Louisiana  was  transferred 
by  Laussat,  in  the  name  of  the  French  Republic,  to  the  Com- 
missioners of  the  United  States. 

The  Very  Rev.  Mr.  Walsh  remained  as  Vicar-General,  Ad- 
ministrator of  the  diocese,  but  he  had  little  power  for  good. 
The  UrsuHnes  on  the  21st  of  March,  1804,  uncertain  as  to 
their  future,  addressed  the  President  of  the  United  States  in 
a  letter  in  which  they  solicited  the  passage  of  an  act  of  Con- 
gress guaranteeing  their  property  and  rights ;  they  justly 
claimed  that  their  institution  had  been  of  service  to  the  re- 
public, as  their  long  history  would  attest.' 

The  President  replied  reassuring  the  Ursulines.  "The 
principles  of  the  Constitution  and  Government  of  the  United 
States  are  a  sure  guaranty  to  you  that  it  will  be  preserved  to 
you  sacred  and  inviolate,  and  that  your  institution  will  be 
permitted  to  govern  itself  according  to  its  own  voluntary 
rules,  without  interference  from  the  civil  authoiity.  What- 
ever diversity  of  shade  may  appear  in  the  religious  opinions 
of  our  fellow-citizens,  the  charitable  objects  of  your  institu- 
tion cannot  be  indifferent  to  any  ;  and  its  furtherance  of  the 


Revolution  Fnm^nise  4  I'occasion  de  la  retrocession  de  la  Louisiane  k  la 
Republiquc  Fran(,ais(>  en  1802." 

'  Mother  Mary  Teresa  Fargeon,  Superior,  to  Thomas  Jefferson,  New 
Orleans,  March  21, 1804 


SEDELLA'S  SCHISM. 


589 


wholesome  purposes  by  training  up  its  young  men  hers  in  the 
way  they  should  go,  cannot  fail  to  insure  the  patronage  of 
the  government  it  is  under.  Be  assured  it  will  meet  with  all 
the  protection  my  office  can  give  it."  ' 

The  open  and  shameless  profligacy  of  Father  Antonio 
Sedella  made  it  a  duty  with  the  Administra'or  to  remove 
him.  This  he  attempted  early  in  1805.  but  the  shameless 
man  called  a  meeting  of  the  rabble  of  New  Orleans.  This 
body  claimed  the  church  as  the  property  of  the  citizens  of 
New  Orleans,  although  they  had  contributed  nothing  to  its 
erection ;  they  elected  a  body  of  wardens,  who  in  turn  elected 
Father  Antonio  Sedella  as  their  parish  priest,  "  amid  many 
hurras."     The  Administmtor  interdicted  the  church.' 

As  the  most  ignorant  person  in  the  territory  knew,  Se- 
della's  course  was  an  act  of  schism  totally  at  variance  with 
the  organization  of  the  Catholic  Church  and  the  civil 
law  of  Louisiana.  The  decision  in  Fromm's  case  was  ac- 
cessible to  Governor  Claiborne,  but  he  chose  to  treat  the 
matter  as  a  quarrel  between  two  priests,  doubtless  glad  to  see 
the  Catholic  Church  embroiled.     When  the  Very  Rev.  Mr. 

'  "  The  Ursulinea  in  Louisiana,"  New  Orleans,  1886,  pp.  32-8. 

»  Claiborne  to  Madison,  March  18, 1805.— Cantillon,  President  of  this 
pretended  board  of  Marguilliers,  had  the  assurance  to  write  to  Bishop 
Carroll  in  April,  1805,  that  Walsh's  powers  ceased  when  the  Bishop  of 
New  Orleans  withdrew  and  the  country  passed  under  a  different  govern- 
ment. His  letter  was  really  one  of  defiance.  He  states  that  the  Catho- 
lics of  the  city  held  a  meeting  "  under  the  auspices  of  the  City  Council," 
and  unanimously  requested  Sedella  to  rcassume  the  duties  of  parish 
priest.  .Judge  Prevost,  a  Protestant,  in  a  letter  of  April  2,  1807,  also 
attempted  to  instruct  Bishop  Carroll  as  to  the  laws  of  the  Church,  and 
informed  him  that  "the  original  dimensions  of  the  diocese  having 
changed,  the  eccle3ia.<stical  jurisdiction  as  at  first  determined  had  ceased, 
and  therefore  Abbe  Walsh  could  have  no  power" — his  facts  and  his  law 
being  equally  false.  There  had  been  no  alteration  of  the  dimensions  of 
the  diocese,  and  no  such  alteration  and  no  change  of  civil  government 
would  deprive  a  Bishop  or  Administrator  of  autho.ity. 


i?i 


.,  , « 


690  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

Walsh  appealed  to  him  not  to  countenance  such  a  gross  vio- 
lation of  all  law,  he  resorted  to  hypocritical  twaddle,  aided 
the  shameless  priest  to  maintain  his  position,  and  put  the 
Administrator  off  with  the  usual  strain  of  cant:  "It  those 
who  profess  to  be  the  followers  of  the  meek  and  humble 
Jesus,  instead  of  preaching  brotherly  love  and  good-will  to 
man,  and  enforcing  their  precepts  by  example,  should  labor 
to  excite  dissension  and  dietrust  in  a  comnmnity,  there  is 
indeed  ground  to  fear  that  the  Church  itself  may  cease  to  be 
an  object  of  veneration." 

And  thus  he  lent  the  whole  influence  of  his  position  to 
break  down  the  discipline  of  the  Catholic  Church  and  main- 
tain in  the  Cathedral  of  New  Orleans  a  man  whose  immora 
character  and  neglect  of  duty  were  notorious,  and  who  would 
in  any  New  England  village  have  been  consigned  to  the  ]ail. 
In  the  following  year  the  Very  Kev.  Administrator  in  the 
month  of  August,  1806,  was  stricken  down  with  illness  and 
expired  five  days  later  on  the  22d  of  the  month.     The 
"  Vicar-General  and  Governor  ad  interim  of  the  diocese,"  as 
he  was  styled,  was  interred  the  next  day  in  the  chapel  of  the 
Ursuline  Convent,  near  the  altar,  a  large  attendance  of  the 
faithful  betokening  the  respect  for  a  priest  who  showed  zeal 

for  the  house  of  God.' 

The  archiepiscopal  see  of  Santo  Domingo,  the  metropolitan 
of  the  province  l.>  which  the  diocese  of  Louisiana  and  the 
Floridas  belonged,  was  vacant,  and  no  one  of  the  Bishops  of 
the  province  attempted  to  restore  order,  although  the  Bishop 
of  Havana  extended  his  authority  once  more  over  the  Flonda 
portion  of  the  diocese  till  the  establishment  of  the  Vicanate- 
Apostolic  of  Alabama  and  Mississippi  under  Right  Rev.  Dr. 
Portier. 


»  Louis  Kerr  to  Biahop  Carroll,  New  Orleans,  August  29, 1606. 


ADMINISTRATOR  OF  LOUISIANA. 


591 


r088  vio- 
le,  aided 

put  the 
If  those 

humble 
i-will  to 
lid  labor 

there  is 
ase  to  be 

)8ition  to 
nd  main- 
immoral 
bo  would 
}  the  jail, 
or  in  the 
ness  and 
h.  The 
5cese,"  as 
)el  of  the 
36  of  the 
owed  zeal 

tropolitan 
la  and  the 
bishops  of 
be  Bishop 
hie  Florida 
Vicariate- 
;  Rev.  Dr. 


J,  1806. 


As  the  death  of  the  Very  Rev.  Patrick  "Walsh  left  the  dio- 
cese of  Louisiana  without  any  one  to  govern  it,  Bishop  Car- 
roll who  had,  meanwhile,  informed  himself  of  the  condition 
of  affairs,  resolved  to  act  under  the  decree  of  the  Propaganda 
and  assume  the  administration. 

On  the  17th  of  November,  1806,  Bishop  Carroll  wrote  to 
James  Madison,  then  Secretary  of  State,  and  after  alluding 
to  a  conference  had  with  him  long  before  in  relation  to  the 
Church  in  Louisiana,  and  to  his  being  authorized  to  adminis- 
ter its  spiritual  affairs  and  to  recommend  two  or  three  cler- 
gymen of  suitable  qualities,  one  of  whom  would  be  appointed 
Bishop  of  New  Orleans,  he  says :  "  I  was  not  so  satisfied 
with  the  accounts  of  Louisiana,  of  the  clergymen  living 
there,  as  would  justify  a  recommendation  of  any  of  them  for 
the  important  trust,  which  requires  not  only  a  virtuous  but 
.   very  prudent  conduct,  great  learning,  especially  in  matters  of 
a  religious  nature,  and  sufficient  resolution  to  remove  gradu- 
ally the  disorders  which  have  grown  up  during  the  relaxed 
state  of  civil  and  ecclesiastical  authority,    I  therefore  directed 
my  views  to  two  others,  who,  tho'  Frenchmen,  have  been 
long  resident  in  this  country  and  steady  in  their  attachment 
to  it.     But  the  removal  of  either  of  them  to  Louisiana  was 
rendered  injpracticable,  and  circumstances  have  since  occurred 
which  perhaps  make  it  unadviseable  in  the  opinion  of  this 
government,  to  nominate  for  the  bishop  of  that  country  any 
native  of  France  or  Louisiana.     I  therefore  declined  hitherto 
taking  any  concern  in  this  business,  tho'  the  situation  of  the 
church  there  has  long  required,  and  requires  now  more  par- 
ticularly a  prompt  interference,  not  only  for  the  interests  of 
religion,  but  likewise  for  quieting  and  con)posing  the  minds 
of  the  inhabitants.     You  will  observe  tliat  my  first  commis- 
sion to  take  a  provisional  charge  of  the  diocess  of  N.  Orleans 
was  received  long  before  the  intermeddling  of  the  Emperor 


Ifi 


i'  h% 


,1   ''  Bi 


'^,il 


J 
'1      IS 


.      <■ 


592 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Napoleon.  This  has  been  procured,  as  I  ana  credibly  in- 
formed from  N.  O.  by  a  mission  to  Paris  from  a  Mr.  Castil- 
Ion,  who  is  at  the  head  of  the  mmucipality,  and  an  artful 
Spanish  friar,  Antonio  de  Sedilla,  the  intimate  friend  of  the 
Marquis  of  Caso  Calvo.  This  mission  was  entrusted  to  a 
certaui  Castanedo,  who  was  furnished  with  $4,000  to  obtain 
a  recommendation  from  the  Emperor  Napoleon  for  the  im- 
mediate nomination  of  de  Sedilla  to  the  bishopric :  but  tlie 
attempt  has  completely  miscarried,  as  you  will  see  by  the  du- 
plicate copy  of  the  commission  sent  to  me,  &c.  To  this 
commission  allow  me  to  subjoin  an  extract  from  a  letter  of 
Card.  Pietro,  prefect  of  the  Congreg.  de  Prop,  fide  at  Rome, 

which  I  received  at  the  same  time.    He  says,  &c '  From 

which  it  appears,  that  the  acquiescence  of  our  government  is 
necessary  with  respect  to  the  measures  to  be  adopted  for  set- 
tling the  ecclesiastical  state  of  Louisiana.     Something,  as  has 
been  mentioned,  is  immediately  necessary,  before  I  proceed 
to  determine  on  the  choice  of  a  subject  fit  to  be  recom- 
mended for  the  future  bishop.     If  a  native  of  this  country, 
or  one  who  is  not  a  Frenchman,  tho'  well  acquainted  with 
the  language,  cannot  be  procured,  would  it  be  satisfactory  to 
the  Executive  of  the  U.  S.  to  recommend  a  native  of  France 
who  has  long  resided  amongst  us,  and  is  desirous  of  continu- 
ing under  this  government  ?     In  the  mean  time,  as  the  only 
clergyman  in  Louisiana,  in  any  degree  quaUfied  to  act  with 
vigor  and  intelligence  in  restoring  order  in  the  Cath.  church, 
is  a  French  emigrant  priest,  far  from  any  attachment  to  the 
present  system  of  his  country,  may  he  be  appointed  to  act 
as  my  vicar,  without  the  disapprobation  of  our  Executive  1 
I  have  many  reasons  for  believing  that  this  person  rejoices 
sincerely   in  the  cession   of   that   country   to   the  United 
States.' " 

But  while  the  Governor  of  Louisiana  appointed  by  the 


't!: 


ADMINISTRATOR  OF  LOUISIANA. 


593 


President  and  the  Judges  of  the  Territory  were  actually 
playing  into  the  hands  of  the  rebellious  priest  and  his  schis- 
matical  adherents,  Mr.  Madison  replied  officially  that  the  mat- 
ter being  purely  ecclesiastical,  government  could  not  interfere, 
adding :  "  I  have  the  pleasure,  Sir.  to  add  that  if  that  con- 
sideration had  less  influence,  the  President  would  find  a  mo- 
tive to  the  same  determination  in  his  perfect  confidence  in 
the  purity  of  your  views,  and  in  the  patriotism  which  will 
guide  you  in  the  selection  o*  ecclesiastical  individuals  to  such 
as  combine  with  their  professional  merits  a  due  attachment 
to  the  independence,  the  Constitution  and  the  prosperity  of 
the  United  States." 

But  in  a  private  letter  on  the  same  day  he  alludes  to  the 
scheme  of  Cantillon,  who  sent  a  person  to  France  to  induce 
the  government  there  to  obtain  the  appointment  of  Sedella 
as  Bishop,  leading  to  a  letter  from  Mr.  Portales  which  great- 
ly encouraged  the  schismatics.     Mr.  Madison  alluding  to 
Bishop  Carroll's  proposal  to  appoint  Mr.  L'Espinasse,  wrote : 
"  Nothing  being  known  concerning  Mr.  L'Espinasse  except 
from  your  account  of  him  in  which  all  due  confidence  is 
placed,  no  objections  can  lie  against  the  use  you  propose  to 
make  of  him,  and  that,  in  general,  it  affords  satisfaction  to 
find  you,  a-  might  well  be  presumed,  so  fully  in  a  disposition 
to  admit  into  the  stations  for  which  you  are  to  provide  as 
little  of  alienage  of  any  sort  as  will  consist  with  the  essential 
attributes  and  duties  of  them.    Of  the  Spanish  Friar  Anto- 
nio di  Sedilla  the  accounts  received  here  agree  with  the  charac- 
ter you  have  formed  of  him. 

"It  appears  that  his  intrigues  and  his  connections  have 
drawn  on  him  the  watchful  attention  of  the  Government  of 
that  territory.  Although  I  am  aware  that  in  the  arrange- 
ments committed  to  your  discretion  and  execution,  consider- 
ations operate  very  different  from  those  of  a  political  nature, 


'M 


■  m\ 


f 


til 


694 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


I  will  not  conceal  my  wish  that  instead  of  a  temporary  sub- 
ordination of  the  K.  C.  Church  at  N.  Orleans  to  the  General 
Diocese,  the  subordination  had  been  made  permanent ;  or 
rather  that  it  had  involved  a  modification  of  some  proper 
sort,  leaving  less  of  a  distinctive  feature  in  a  quaiter  already 
marked  by  sundry  peculiarities.  I  am  betrayed  into  the  ex- 
pression, or  rather  intrusion  of  such  a  sentiment  by  my  anx- 
iety to  see  the  union  and  harmony  of  every  portion  of  our 
Country  strengthened  by  every  legitimate  circumstance  which 
may  in  a>.y  wise  have  that  tendency. 

"  The  letter  from  Mr.  Portales  had  been  forwarded  hither 
in  several  copies  from  N.  O.,  where  it  had  excited  the  sensa- 
tions likely  to  result  from  it.     This  foreign  interposition, 
qualified  as  it  is,  was  manifestly  reprehensible;  being  in  a 
case  where  it  could  be  founded  neither  in  any  political  or  ec- 
clesiastical relation  whatever.     It  is  probable,  at  the  same 
time,  that  the  step  was  produced  less  by  any  deep  or  insidious 
designs,  than  by  the  flattering  and  unjust  importunities  of 
the  pa-ties  at  N.  O.,  and  by  a  tenderness  towards  a  people 
once  11  part  of  the  French  nation,  and  alienated  by  the  policy 
of  its  Gov'  not  by  their  own  act.     The  intei-position  will  be 
made  by  our  Minister  a  topic  of  such  observations,  as  with- 
out fvverchargiug  the  wrong,  may  be  calculated  to  prevent 

repetitions."  .  . 

When  the  decree  of  the  Propaganda  confidmg  Louisiana 
to  his  care  reached  Bishop  CarrdU,  it  was  a  matter  of  great 
and  pious  satisfaction  to  him  to  Know  that  there  was  one 
priest  in  Louisiana  whose  virtue  and  ability  were  known  to 
him.  Tliis  '.vas  the  Rev.  John  Olivier,  who  had  been  at 
Cah'okia  till  1803,  when  he  went  to  New  Orleans  to  become 
chaplain  of  the  Ursuline  Nuns.  To  this  priest  he  at  once 
expedited  the  decree  of  the  Propaganda,  and  an  official  docu- 
ment in  which  as  Administrator-Apostolic  of  the  diocese  of 


V.  REV.  JOHN  OLIVIER,  V.G. 


696 


Louisiana,  Bishop  Carroll  created  him  Yicar-General.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Olivier  at  once  produced  these  docutueuts  before 
the  Governor  of  Louisiana  and  left  copies  witli  him.  He 
also  wrote  to  Father  Sedella  informing  him  of  the  action  of 
the  Propaganda,  and  of  his  appointment  by  the  Administra- 
tor-Apostolic. Sedella  called  upon  him  the  next  day  with 
one  of  bis  pretended  vicars,  but  evaded  recognizing  his  au- 
thority, and  finally  on  the  25th  of  February,  180''',  in  a  letter 
openly  refused  to  do  so,  incited  by  Cantillon  and  other  mal- 
contents. 


^^  c^^V^V^^-^ 


SIGNATURE  OF  JEAN  OLIVIER,   V.G. 

The  Yicar-General  then  published  the  decree  and  the 
Bishop's  letter  at  the  convent  chapel,  the  Rev.  Mr.  L'Espinasse 
preaching  on  the  occasion  to  explain  to  the  people  the  duty 
of  obeying  the  authorities  in  the  Church  appointed  by  its 
supreme  Head.' 

While  the  unfortunate  diocese  had  been  almost  without 
any  recognized  head,  the  distant  parishes  suffered,  or  became 
the  prey  of  adventurers,  who  took  pos.5e&sion  without  any 
appointment  or  faculties.  Thus  the  Rev.  Thomas  Flynn 
wrote  from  St.  Louis,  November  8,  1806,  that  the  trustees 
were  about  to  install  him.  He  describes  the  church.  It 
"  has  a  tolerably  good  bell,  a  high  altar,  and  commodious 
pews.  The  honse  for  the  priest  is  convenient,  but  rather  out 
of  repair.  There  is  annexed  to  it  a  large  garden  well  stocked 
with  fruit  trees,  barn,  stable,  and  other  out  offices." ' 

'  Rev.  John  Olivier  to  Bishop  Carroll,  New  Orleans,  February  28, 1807. 
«  Letter  to  Bishop  Carroll.    He  wrote  to  Rev.  8.  T.  Badin  from  8t. 
Genevieve,  May  25,  1807. 


m 


596 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


t 


The  veteran  priest  of  the  "West,  Kev.  Peter  Gibault,  had 
retired  to  New  Madrid  about  1790,  and  died  there  in  1804." 

Rev,  James  Maxwell  continued  at  St.  Genevieve,  where  he 
had  succeeded  Father  Paul  de  St.  Pierre,  who  closed  his 
eight  years'  pastorship  in  1797.  With  the  exception  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Maxwell  there  was  scarcely  a  priest  in  Upper 
Louisiana." 

As  the  original  Rescript  issued  by  the  Holy  See  to  Bishop 
Carroll  had  not  been  so  distinct  and  clear  as  to  obviate  cap- 
tious objections  by  the  unprincipled  Sedella  and  his  adher- 
ents, a  more  ample  and  distinct  authority  was  sent. 

"  To  OUR  VENERABLE   BrOTHEB,   THE  ArOHBISHOP  OF  BALTI- 
MORE— Pope  Pius  YII. 

"  Venerable  Brother,  Health  and  Apostolical  Benediction. 
The  solicitude  of  the  Roman  Pontiff,  embracing  the  univer- 
sal church,  no  where  permits  laborers  to  be  wanting  in  the 
vineyard  planted  by  the  Eternal  Son  of  the  Father,  that  by 
their  efforts  and  assiduous  zeal,  the  true  faith  which  is  one  as 
God  is  one,  may  not  only  be  firmly  retained,  but  more  widely 
propagated,  and  the  spiritual  fruit  of  souls,  grow  to  the  hun- 
dredfold and  even  exceed  it.  We  cannot  otherwise  provide  for 
the  church  at  New  Orleans  or  province  of  Louisiana  in  North 
America,  deprived  of  its  pastor  and  bishop  than  by  confiding 
it  to  the  ordinary  jurisdiction  of  your  Fraternity,  until  an  occa- 
sion offers  to  Us  and  this  Holy  See  of  making  other  disposi- 
tions, which  may  seem  to  meet  the  general  wish  more  fully. 
As  this  occasion  is  not  yet  proximate,  and  you  are  already  suf- 
ficiently burthened  with  other  cares,  therefore  by  the  advice 
of  our  venerable  Brethren,  the  Cardinals  of  Holy  Roman 


Ch 
Fie 
spi 
ma 
anc 
yoi 
eitl 
vir 
hin 
wh 

Ap 
onl 
anc 

sai( 

< 

the 


'  Very  Rev.  John  Olivier  to  Bishop  Carroll. 

•  Rozier,  "An  Address,"  etc.,  St.  Louis,  1885,  p.  15. 


BRIEF  OF  POPE  PIUS  VII 


697 


Church,  placed  in  charge  of  the  Congregation  de  Propaganda 
Fide,  "We,  lest  anything  should  be  wanting  which  either  the 
spiritual  necessity  or  utility  of  the  Faithful  in  those  parts 
may  require,  by  these  presents  commit  to  your  Fraternity 
and  command,  that  if  you  deem  it  expedient  in  the  Lord, 
you  delegate  and  send  to  the  aforesaid  province  of  Louisiana, 
either  our  beloved  son  Charles  Nerinckx,  on  whose  zeal  and 
virtue  we  rely  greatly  in  our  Lord,  or  if  perchance  he  feel 
himself  unequal  thereto,  some  other  secular  or  regular  priest 
whom  you  know  to  be  fitted,  with  the  rank  of  Administrator 
Apostolic  and  the  rights  of  an  Ordinary,  to  continue  however, 
only  during  a  time  at  our  good-will  and  that  of  this  Holy  See, 
and  according  to  the  instruction  to  be  forwarded  to  you  by  the 
said  Congregation,  notwithstanding  anything  to  the  contrary. 
"  Given  at  Rome  at  St.  Mary  Major's  under  the  Ring  of 
the  Fisherman,  on  the  fifth  day  of  April,  1808. 

[l.  8.]  "  L.  Cardinal  Antonelli. 

"J.    B.    QUABANTOTTI, 

"  Vice-Prefect." 


OLD    TniSCLINE    CONVENT    AND    CHAPEL,    NEW 
ORLEANS. 


I 


'^i 


i 


II 


CHAPTER  IV. 

DI0CE8B    OF   BALTIMORE,    1806-1808. — DIVISION    OF   THE    DIO- 
CESE.— BALTIMOEE   A  METROPOLITAN   SEE. 

In  1806  Bishop  Carroll  had  the  consolation  of  seeing  posi- 
tive evidence  of  the  growth  of  Catholicity  in  Baltimore  in 
the  initiation  of  new  temples  to  the  Most  High. 

On  the  7th  of  July  he  laid  the  corner-stone  of  his  Cathe- 
dral. The  erection  of  a  noble  edifice  had,  as  we  have  seen, 
engaged  his  mind  from  an  early  period.  The  plans  of  the 
Cathedral  were  the  work  of  an  eminent  architect,  B.  Henry 
Latrobe,  who  at  first  submitted  plans  for  a  Gothic  Cathedral, 
but  as  Roman  or  Greek  architecture  was  preferred,  he  pre- 
pared the  plan  of  the  present  Cathedral.  "  The  principal 
motive,"  wrote  this  gentleman  to  Bishop  Carroll,  "  which 
induced  me  to  undertake  the  labor  of  the  design  at  a  time 
when  neither  my  existing  engagements  nor  the  circumstances 
of  my  family  permitted  me  to  undertake  it  with  convenience, 
were  not  entirely  selfish.  They  were  motives  of  gratitude. 
To  the  disinterested  benevolence  and  the  pious  sensibility  of 
a  clergyman  of  your  church  I  owe  my  existence,  at  all  events 
an  existence  of  which  I  have  no  reason  to  be  ashamed,  and  I 
hope  I  have  never  since  omitted  an  opportunity  of  honoring 
and  serving  the  Church  of  which  he  was  a  splendid  orna- 
ment." ' 

The  selection  of  a  suitable  site  for  the  Cathedral  had  not 


'  B.  H.  Latrobe  to  Bishop  Carroll,  August  5, 1806. 
(598) 


THE  BALTIMORE  CATHEDRAL. 


599 


been  free  from  difticulty.  A  beauti/ul  position  on  the  Bill 
Lad  been  proposed  as  the  most  desirable  spot,  but  the  cost  of 
the  lots,  for  which  nearly  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  was 
asked,  deterred  the  Building  Committee,  and  it  was  resolved 
to  erect  the  Cathedral  on  the  burial-ground  adjoining  St. 
Peter's  Church, 

When  the  space  had  been  partly  cleared  and  some  of  the 
bodies  were  already  removed,  there  arose  a  strong  feeling  of 


CATUEDUAIi  IN   ITS  ORIGINAL  FORM.      FROM  FIELDING  LUCAS' 
"PICTURE  OF  BALTIMORE." 


disapprobation,  and  a  memorial  was  presented  to  the  Bishop, 
remonstrating  against  the  use  of  that  spot,  and  especially 
against  the  disturbing  of  the  dead.  Bishop  Carroll  did  not 
yield  at  once  ;  he  replied  with  some  feeling,  urging  the  plea 
of  the  necessity  of  economy,  in  view  of  the  heavy  cost  of  the 
lots,  which  all  desired.  When,  however,  the  clergy  of  the 
Seminary,  who  were  regarded  as  the  priests  of  the  Cathedral, 
supported  the  views  of  the  memorial  in  a  document  signed 


m 


600„ 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


February  26,  1806,  by  Messrs.  Nagot,  J.  Tessier,  J.  David, 
P,  Babade,  B.  J.  Flaget,  and  William  Du  Bourg,  Bishop 
Carroll  yielded  and  consented  to  the  acquisition  of  the  pres- 
ent site.  A  new  subscription  was  begun,  headed  by  two 
generous  Catholics,  who  contributed  largely,  and  the  owner, 
Gen.  John  Eager  Howard,  greatly  reduced  the  price,  so  as  to 
remove  one  of  the  obstacles. 

The  ground  having  been  secured,  the  7th  of  July,  1806, 
was  set  apart  for  the  ceremony  of  blessing  the  corner-stone  of 
the  proposed  edifice.  The  proceedings  were  conducted  with 
the  greatest  pomp.  The  concourse  of  Catholics  and  even  of 
Protestants  was  immense,  for  the  whole  city  had  become  in- 
terested in  the  erection  of  a  building  regarded  as  a  great  or- 
nament to  the  city.  The  ceremony  was  carried  out  according 
to  the  ritual,  in  presence  of  the  silent  and  respectful  assem- 
blage. A  procession  of  ecclesiastics  and  of  twenty  priests, 
many  venerable  by  age  and  by  long  apostolic  labors,  followed 
by  the  Bishop  in  cope  and  mitre,  proceeded  in  ordered  line 
through  the  streets  to  the  spot,  where  the  symbol  of  salvation 
was  erected  and  the  stone  blessed.  Bishop  Carroll  addressed 
the  audience  in  a  touching  and  timely  discourse,  holding  out 
the  hope  that  the  building  to  be  erected  might  be  a  source  of 
grace  to  multitudes  in  time  to  come — "  et  erit  mons  elevatus 
super  omnes  colles,  et  fluent  ad  eam  omnes  gentes."  ' 

To  carry  on  the  work  of  the  Cathedral  a  body  of  trustees 
had  been  appointed,  and  according  to  the  custom  of  that 
time  a  lottery  was  resorted  to,  as  a  means  of  raising  money 
to  advance  the  great  work.  This  was  announced  in  1 803, 
the  managers  being  Bishop  Carroll,  Rev.  Francis  Beeston, 
Messrs.  David  Williamson,  Robert  Walsh,  Charles  Ghequiere, 

'  Memorials  and  Reply  of  Bishop  Carroll  in  the  Archives  of  the  Arch- 
bishop of  Baltimore ;  Dilhet,  "  Etat  de  I'Eglise  Catholique  ou  du  Diocese 
des  Etats  Unis." 


K  dfeikf  J 


THE  BALTIMORE  CATHEDRAL. 


601 


Patrick  Bennet,  Arnold  Livers,  Luke  Tieman,  and  Francis 
J.  Mitchell,  There  were  to  be  21,000  tickets  at  ten  dollars 
each,  fifteen  per  cent,  of  the  amount  to  be  applied  to  the 


BT.  Patrick's  chxtrch,  fell'b  point,    from  fielding  lucas' 

"PICTURE  OF  BALTIMORE." 

Cathedral,  the  rest  distributed  in  prizes.'  The  lottery  was 
drawn  in  1804,  the  Bishop  obtaining  the  highest  prize,  which 
he  at  once  transferred  to  the  Cathedral,  remaining,  as  he  was, 

'  Scharf,  "  History  of  Baltimore  City  and  County,"  Philadelphia,  1881, 
pp.  526,  etc. 

26 


602 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


ii 


tl    ^ 


the  poorest  bishop  in  the  world,  without  resources  or  revenue. 
The  building  of  the  Cathedral  was  actively  pushed  for  sev- 
eral years  till  the  troubles  of  the  times  suspended  the  work. 

On  the  18th  of  June  the  corner-stone  of  St.  Mary's  chapel, 
connected  with  the  college,  had  been  blessed  with  due  solem- 
nity, and  the  beautiful  chapel  rose,  which  was  long  regarded 
as  one  of  the  most  elegant  specimens  of  architecture  in  the 
city,  the  pure  design  of  the  French  architect  having  been 
strictly  followed  in  all  its  details. 

On  the  loth  of  July  Bishop  Carroll  laid  the  corner-stone 
of  the  new  church  of  St.  Patrick  at  Fell's  Point,  for  the  zeal- 
ous priest,  Rev.  John  Francis  Moranville,  proposed  to  replace 
the  frail  structure  already  in  that  district,  which  was  found 
incapable  of  being  enlarged  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  people. 
This  zealous  clergyman,  who  left  an  undying  memory  of 
his  labors  in  Baltimore,  was  a  priest  of  the  Seminary  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  in  Paris,  and  came  to  the  United  States  from 
the  missions  of  Cayenne  in  South  America.  He  took  uj)  his 
work  with  remarkable  zeal  and  ability,  and,  aided  for  a  time 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Dilhet  from  the  Seminary,  gave  doctrinal  in- 
structions, whici  not  only  confirmed  the  Catholics  in  their 
faith,  but  led  many  Protestants  to  examine  and  reflect.' 

The  new  church  of  St.  Patrick  at  Baltimore,  which  Rev. 
Mr.  Moranville  commenced,  was  completed  by  him  ^vith 
great  zeal  and  skill.  The  plan  he  adopted  was  elegant,  and 
at  the  time  of  its  erection  there  was  none  in  the  city  to  com- 
pare with  it  for  beauty  and  solidity.  Two  rows  of  tasteful 
Grecian  pillars  sustained  the  graceful  arches  of  the  nave; 
the  altar  seemed  made  of  the  choicest  marbli  ,  and  the  tones 
of  a  fine  organ  resounded   through  the  sacred  edifice  as 


•  Dilhet,  "  Etat  de  I'Eglise  Catholique";  Tessier,  "  Epoques  du  8emi- 
naire  de  Baltimore." 


ST.  MARY'S,  BALTIMORE. 


608 


Bishop  Carroll,  attended  by  a  numerous  body  of  his  clergy, 
entered  on  the  29th  of  November,  1807,  to  dedicate  it  to  the 
service  of  Almighty  God.  After  that  ceremony,  performed 
with  unusual  pomp,  he  celebrated  a  pontifical  high  mass,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Du  Bourg  delivering  a  sermon  on  the  occasion. 

A  house  for  the  residence  of  the  priest  soon  rose  beside  it, 
where  the  good  priest  lived  in  the  utmost  simplicity  aud 
poverty.' 

The  Church  of  St.  Mary,  erected  by  the  Sulpitians,  soon 
had  a  congregation,  which  Rev.  Mr.  Dilhet  describes  as 
French,  English,  American,  and  Negro.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Du  Bourg,  and  subsequently  Rev.  Mr.  Tessier,  devoted  him- 
self especially  to  the  instruction  and  spiritual  care  of  the 
colored  people,  many  of  them  from  St.  Domingo,  and  speak- 
ing only  French.  The  result  was  most  consoling,  and  they 
were  saved  from  loss  of  faith  and  the  corruption  of  morals 
prevailing  around  them. 

In  December,  1806,  Bishop  Carroll  again  wrote  to  Rome 
to  urge  a  division  of  his  diocese.  He  thought  that  at  least 
four  new  sees  ought  to  be  erected — one  at  Boston,  to  embrace 
the  New  England  States ;  one  at  New  York,  the  diocese  to 
include  that  State  and  Eastern  New  Jersey ;  one  at  Philadel- 
phia, to  comprise  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  and  Western  New 
Jersey  ;  one  in  Kentucky,  to  include  that  State  and  Tennetr 
see.  For  this  last  diocese  Bishop  Carroll  preferred  Frank- 
fort or  Lexington  as  the  episcopal  city,  but  Rev.  Mr.  Badin 
strongly  advised  Bardstown,  as  most  of  thi  Catholics  were 
settled  near  that  town. 

A  fifth  diocese,  to  embrace  the  countiy  northwest  of  the 
Ohio  and  lying  beyond  Pennsylvania,  was  desirable,  but  as 


^M 


•  B.  U.  Campbell.  "  Memoir  of  Rev.  J.  F.  ^oranville";  "  U.  8.  Cath. 
Mag.,"  i.,  pp.  526-7. 


) 


i 


its', 


m 


604 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


priests  were  very  few,  it  would  be  best  for  the  time  being  to 
make  that  district  depend  on  the  Bishop  to  be  appointed  for 
Kentucky, 

"  As  to  the  country  south  of  Maryland,  it  should  remain 
subject  to  the  see  of  Baltimore,  a  large  diocese  indeed  ;  but 
it  was  much  to  be  lamented,"  he  added,  "  that  religion  had 
made  scarcely  any  progress  in  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia ;  all 
efforts  for  that  effect  had  failed,"  as  the  Bishop  states,  "  either 
on  account  of  the  unworthiness  of  the  bishop,  or  the  careless- 
ness of  priests,  or  the  depraved  morals  of  the  people.  Only 
five  priests  are  there,  having  charge  of  souls,  and  they  were 
three  hundred  miles  apart ;  three  in  Virginia,  one  at  Charles- 
ton, one  in  Georgia."  The  country  south  of  Tennessee  ought 
to  be  annexed,  in  his  opinion,  to  the  diocese  of  Louisiana  and 
the  J'loridas.' 

Bishop  Carroll  was  a  man  of  calm  judgment,  singularly 
free  from  any  bias  arising  from  his  American  birth,  his  long 
association  with  cultivated  English  gentlemen,  or  his  years 
spent  in  n  religious  order.  Deeply  impressed  with  the  neces- 
sity of  preparing  for  a  higher  standard  of  education  for  young 
men,  whether  intended  for  worldly  pursuits  or  the  service  of 
the  altar,  he  hoped  to  see  the  College  at  Georgetown  and  the 
Seminary  at  Baltimore  co-operate  in  the  endeavor  to  elevate 
and  expand  the  courses  of  study.  While  strongly  attached 
to  the  old  Maryland  clergy  who  controlled  the  College,  he 
appreciated  fully  the  merit  of  the  French  clergymen  whom 
Providence  had  sent  to  his  aid.  His  endeavor  to  effect  a 
hearty  harmony  in  education  and  mission  work  did  not 
succeed. 

Georgetown  College  opened  in  1791,  with  Rev.  Robert 
Plunkett  as  President,  but  he  soon  withdrew,  and  Rev.  Rob- 


Bishop  Carroll  lo  Cardinal  di  Pietro,  December,  1806. 


WASHINGTON  AT  GEORGETOWN. 


605 


ert  Molyneux  undertook  the  charge,  and  first  gave  activity 
to  the  institution,  laying  in  1794  the  corner-stone  of  the 
North  building.  In  1796,  through  the  ad\ace  of  Dr.  Carroll, 
the  Rev.  William  Du  Bourg,  an  accomplished  and  energetic 
clergyman  of  St.  Sulpice,  was  called  to  the  Presidency,  and 
to  the  close  of  1798  endeavored  to  give  it  a  brilliant  reputa- 
tion. During  his  term  General  Washington  honored  the  in- 
stitution by  a  formal  visit,  and  was  addressed  by  Robert 
Walsh.  Rev.  Leonard  Neale  then  became  President,  and 
for  nearly  eight  years  resided  in  the  College,  taking  part  in 
the  work  of  instruction.  In  1801  it  was  resolved  by  the 
Directors  of  the  College  to  add  a  class  of  philosophy,'  though 
Bishop  Carroll  deemed  it  wiser  to  let  the  few  able  to  follow 
that  course  do  so  at  Baltimore. 

Though  Georgetown  College  had  not  attained  such  popu- 
larity as  to  number  crowds  of  students  in  its  h-lls.  Bishop 
Neale  was  consoled  by  seeing  many  of  its  well-trained,  pious, 
and  promising  pupils  enter  the  Society.  "  The  Novitiate  is 
established  in  Georgetown  College,"  he  wrote  in  1808.  "  The 
first  course  consisted  of  eleven  novices,  and  the  second  of 
seven.  All  going  on  well.  Several  scholars  are  expecting 
to  enter  and  form  the  third  course  next  term.  Thus  the 
College  of  Georgetown,  though  short  in  point  of  numbers  of 
scholars,  has  not  been  unfertile  in  genuine  productions.  The 
proof  drawn  from  stubborn  facts  must  be  an  ample  support 


'  Resolution  of  the  Board,  July  27,  1801,  in  Clarke,  "  Lives  of  the 
Deceased  Bishops,"  New  York,  1872,  i.,  p.  129.  "We  are  struggling 
to  commence  philosophy  immediately,"  wrote  Bishop  Neale  to  Father 
Marmaduke  Stone,  October  19, 1801 ;  "We  hope  to  get  a  professor  from 
the  Seminary  at  Baltimore  for  the  present  till  you  can  provide  us  one,  if 
possible,  of  the  Society."  W.  L.,  xii.,  p.  73.  Rev.  Ambrose  Marechal 
became  professor  of  philosophy  soon  after.  Same  to  same,  April  21, 
1803.    W,  L.,  xii..  p.  75. 


'  M 


.    M 


IT,!: 

i 

m 
m 


606 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


of  the  discipline  and  principles  adopted  in  that  college  daring 
my  Presidency."  ' 

Meanwhile  Bishop  Carroll  was  menaced  with  the  loss  of 
his  seminary  and  of  the  Sulpitians,  who  were  actively  en- 
gaged in  the  works  of  the  ministry.     The  prospect  was  one 
to  fill  him  with  dismay.     Mr.  Emery,  the  Superior  of  St. 
Sulpice  at  Paris,  seeing  a  prospect  of  the  restoration  of  re- 
ligion in  France,  believed  the  time  at  hand  when  seminaries 
for  the  education  of  candidates  for  the  priesthood  might 
again  he  opened  by  his  Congregation.     Finding,  too,  that 
some  of  his  priests  were  by  no  means  satisfied  with  the  con- 
dition of  affairs  in  the  United  States,  Mr.  Emery  resolved  to 
recall  all  the  Sulpitians  to  Europe,  where  congenial  work 
seemed  to  demand   them.     "If  the  Sulpitians  remove  to 
France,  which  is  threatened  by  Mr.  Emery,  their  Superior 
Pinaris,  we  shall  be  left  perfectly  bare,"  wrote  Bishop  Neale. 
And  again,  "The  Gentlemen  of  St.  Sulpice  are  ordered  back 
to  France.     Some  have  already  departed,  oiliers  are  on  the 
point  of  sailing.     Of  course  the  Seminary  is  no  longer  calcu- 
lated on,"'  and  he  appealed  to  his  friends  in  England  to 
come  to  the  rescue. 

In  1803  the  Rev.  Mr.  Nagot  and  several  others,  members 
of  the  Society  of  St.  Sulpice,  received  from  Rev.  Mr.  Emery 
positive  orders  to  return  to  France.  The  Superior  at  Balti- 
more clung  to  America,  but  Rev.  Mr.  Gamier,  the  zealous 
pastor  of  the  church  at  Fell's  Point,  Baltimore ;  Rev.  Mr. 
Lcvadoux,  who  had  returned  from  Detroit,  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Cattelin  sailed  to  France  in  May,  followed  in  July  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Marc'clml,  who,  after  filling  the  chair  of  philosophy  at 


'  Bishop  Neule  to  Father  Marnmduke  Stone,  February  16  1808     W 
L.,  xii.,  p.  82. 

•'  Bishop  Neale  to  Very  Rev.  Father  Mannaduke  Stone.  June  30. 1802. 
June  25, 1803. 


ST.  MARY'S  COLLEGE,  BALTIMORE. 


607 


w. 


Georgetown,  was  actually  attending  the  mission  at  Win- 
chester. 

The  institution  founded  by  the  Sulpitians  at  Baltimore 
seemed  doomed.  After  resigning  the  presidency  of  George- 
town College,  the  Eev.  "William  Du  Bourg  had,  with  Kev. 
Mr.  Babad  and  other  Sulpitians,  endeavored  in  1799  to  es- 
tablish a  seminary  and  college  at  Havana,  but  as  that  project 
wafi  not  sanctioned  by  the  Spanish  authorities,  the  Sulpitians 
returned  to  Baltimore,  bringing  a  number  of  Cuban  youth. 
For  these  and  the  sons  of  some  French  residents  in  the  city 
he  then  opened  an  academy,  which  soon  acquired  a  reputa- 
tion, and  seemed  destined  to  become  a  successful  institution.' 
While  on  a  visit  to  Havana  in  1803,  Dr.  Du  Bourg  learned 
that  the  Spanish  government  was  about  to  recall  these  young 
men,  and  in  fact  a  vessel  was  soon  sent  for  them.  It  was 
then  resolved  to  open  the  institution  to  American  pupils, 
Catholic  and  Protestant.  Buildings  were  accordingly  erected 
on  the  Seminary  grounds,  f.  i  regular  course  of  study 
opened.  Among  the  earlie  t  ;  lis  were  William  Gaston, 
Kobert  Walsh,  and  two  nephews  of  Bishop  Carroll.  The 
progress  of  the  pupils  soon  gave  the  Academy  a  high  reputa- 
tion. In  .laiuiary,  1805,  the  Legislature  of  Maryland  granted 
St.  Mary's  College  a  charter,  and  authorized  it  to  raise  funds 
by  '^sans  of  a  lottery. 

The  mingling  of  Protestant  and  Catholic  pupils  in  the 
College  took  from  it  all  that  was  characteristic  of  a  Prepara- 
tory Seminary.  Vocations  could  scarcely  develop  there,  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Emery  objected  strongly  to  it,  although  when  he 
found  that  Bishop  Carroll,  who  had  not  previously  been  con- 
sulted, saw  no  alternative,  he  reluctantly  consented.  He 
felt,  however,  that  the  Community  of  St.  Sulpice  had  in  ten 

'  The  corner-stone  was  blessed  by  Rev.  Mr.  Nngot,  April  10, 1800. 


608 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


B 


years  effected  little,  and  that  there  was  no  proBpect  of  a  more 
consoling  future.  Vocations  were  few ;  there  was  no  proper 
place  to  foster  them,  and  some  young  men  who  were  expected 
at  St.  Mary's  Seminary  were  diverted  elsewhere.' 

He  leaned  strongly  to  hi  original  idea  of  withdrawing  all 
his  priests.  To  Bishop  Carroll,  who  spoke  of  them  as  the 
best  priests  he  ever  knew,  the  prospect  of  losing  them  was 
especially  disheartening.  His  appeals  made  Rev.  Mr.  Emery 
waver,  though  they  did  not  convince  him.  It  needed  a  voice 
that  he  could  regard  as  conveying  the  will  of  God. 

When  T*ope  Pius  VII.  went  to  Paris  in  1804  to  place  on 
the  head  of  Napoleon  the  imperial  crown  of  France,  Rev. 
Mr.  Emery,  to  decide  the  question  as  to  the  Seminary  of 
Baltimore,  sought  the  guidance  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff. 
He  represented  to  His  Holiness  the  need  he  felt  of  members 
in  France  to  re-establish  the  former  Sulpitian  seminaries,  and, 
on  the  other  hand,  the  scanty  fruit  produced  in  the  diocese 
of  Baltimore,  where  several  who  had  been  capable  Directors 
of  theological  seminaries  were  now  employed  in  subordinate 
positions.  The  Holy  Father  heard  the  Superior  of  Saint 
Sulpice  with  affectionate  interest,  but  he  replied  :  "  My 
Son,  let  this  Seminary  subsist,  let  it — it  will  bear  its  fruit  in 
time.  To  recall  the  Directors  in  order  to  employ  them  in 
France,  in  other  houses,  that  would  be  stripping  St.  Paul  to 
clothe  St.  Peter."  This  terse  and  encouraging  reply  put  an 
end  to  all  Mr.  Emery's  doubts  and  hesitation,  and  from  that 
moment  the  Seminary  at  Baltimore,  for  which  he  had  made 
so  many  sacrifices,  acqtiired  even  a  greater  hold  on  his  affec- 
tions.' 


'  Rev.  Mr.  Emery  to  Bisliop  Carroll,  September  24, 1805. 

'  Fnillon,  "  History  of  the  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpiee,"  miimiarript.  The 
Rev.  Jamea  Andrew  Emery,  Superior  of  the  (/'ongregiilion  of  St,  Sulpice, 
was  born  it  Qex,  August  26,  1752,  son  of  an  important  functionary  in 


PIGEON  HILLS. 


609 


The  Commencement  of  St.  Mary's  College  held  in  1806, 
the  instituriou  then  numbering  130  pupils,  attracted  general 
attention.  A  laudatory  account  of  the  exercises  appeared 
in  a  periodical  called  "The  Companion."  This  elicited 
strictures  of  a  very  bigoted  character,  assailing  the  Catholic 
religion,  and  the  institution,  as  well  as  the  capacity  of  the 
president  and  professors.  The  object  evidently  was  to  pre- 
vent Protestant  families  from  sending  their  sons  to  St. 
Mary's  College.  A  defence  of  the  college  appeared,  and  the 
controversy  dragged  on  for  some  time,  without  any  remarka- 
ble ability ;  but  the  articles,  after  appearing  in  the  journals 
of  the  day,  were  collected  in  a  pamphlet.' 

Convinced  of  the  necessity  of  a  Petit  Seminaire  or  Pre- 
paratory Seminary  under  their  own  direction,  where  youths 
showing  a  vocation  for  the  priesthood  might  be  trained  in  a 
manner  adapted  to  their  future  studies  and  tlie  life  they  were 
to  lead  in  the  service  of  the  altar,  tlie  Eev.  Charles  Nagot 
acquired  an  estate  at  Pigeon  Hills,  Pennsylvania,  where  tlie 
Preparatory  Seminary  was  opened  August  15,  1807,  under 
the  direction  of  Rev.  Mr.  Nagot  and  Rev.  John  Dilliet,  who, 
after  having  been  a  missionary  at  Detroit,  was  sent  to  Cone- 


that  place.  From  the  Jesuit  C!ollege  at  Miicon  he  entered  St.  Sulpice 
and  was  ordained  in  1750.  Professor  at  Orleans  and  Lyons,  Superior  at 
,  Angers,  he  became  in  1782  Superior-General  of  St.  Sulpice.  Imprisoned 
for  16  months  in  Ste.  Pelagic  and  La  Conciergerie,  he  regained  liberty  in 
1794,  and  though  he  administered  the  diocese  of  Paris,  refused  the  mitre. 
Napoleon  found  him  inflexible  when  he  appointed  him  on  a  commission, 
and  he  was  expelled  from  the  Seminary  he  had  restored.  He  died  April 
2S,  1811.  He  prepared  several  works,  his  chief  nini  being  to  show  that 
the  soundest  philosophers  were  in  full  accord  with  Christian  truth. 

'  "  Strictures  on  the  Establishment  of  Colleges,  particularly  that  of  St. 
Mnvy.  in  the  precincts  of  Baltimore,  as  formerly  published  in  the  '  Even- 
ing Post '  and  •  Telegraph.' "    Y  Itiniore,  December,  1800,  ,58  pp.    Scton, 
"  Memoir,  Letters,  and  Journal  of  Elizabeth  Scton, "  New  York,  1869 
i.,  p.  245. 

26* 


f  'it 


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■'1 


11 


Lf 


Iff 


BKV.    CHABLES  FnANCIB  NAOOT,    B.B.B.,    FOlTNDEn  OP  ST.    MART'S 
THEOLOGICAL  SEMINAIIY,    BALTI.MOUE. 


(610) 


'■Ml 


t]t 


EMMITTSBVRO. 


611 


wago  to  assist  Rev.  Mr.  De  Barth,  and  there  opened  a  school 
out  of  which  the  institution  at  Pigeon  Hills  grew,'  To  this 
institution  the  venerable  Nagot  gave  his  personal  attention, 
but  difficulties  arose,  and  the  Rev.  John  Du  Bois,  who  had 
in  1803  solicited  entrance  into  the  Society  of  Jesus,  now 
asked  to  be  received  in  the  Comnmnity  of  St.  Sulpice,  and 
recommended  Emmittsburg  highly  as  a  place  for  a  prepara- 
tory seminary." 

During  the  vacation  of  1808,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Du  Bourg 
and  Du  Bois  purchased  the  ground  at  Emmittsburg  for  the 
proposed  Seminary.  The  students,  sixteen  in  number,  were 
transferred  from  Pigeon  Hills  to  the  new  institution  in  the 
spring  of  1809.  In  the  summer  the  venerable  '-^aperior,  Mr. 
Nagot,  was  stricken  down  by  illness,  and  tliough  he  recov- 
ered and  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  his  ordination 
as  priest  on  the  31st  of  May,  1810,  he  sustained  a  severe 
shock  from  a  fall  in  March,  1811,  and  gradually  failed.  He 
had  the  preceding  year  resigned  tlie  direction  of  the  Semi- 
nary to  Rev.  John  Tessier,  and  died  in  the  house  he  had 
founded  on  the  9th  of  April,  1816,  His  memory  will  ever 
remain  as  a  holy  priest  who  formed  the  first  Catliolic  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  the  country,  which  endures  full  of  vital- 
ity, after  sending  out  priests  to  all  the  dioceses  for  nearly  a 
century.' 


'  Dilhet,  "  Etat  de  I'Eglise,"  etc. 

'  Tessier,  "  Epoqucs  du  Seminaire  do  Baltimovo,"  MS.  Moreau,  "  Les 
Pretres  Frantais  emigres  aux  Etats  Uni.s,"  Paris,  1856,  pp.  176, 182,  488. 

=  Rev.  Charles  Francis  Nngot  was  born  at  Tours,  April  19,  1734,  and 
passed  from  the  .Jesuit  Collejre  in  his  native  city  to  the  Seminary  of  the 
Robertins  at  Paris.  After  entering  the  community  at  St.  Sulpice  he  be- 
came professor  of  thcolojiv  at  Nnntes,  and  for  several  years  directed  "  La 
Petite  Comraunnnte"  at  Paris.  His  connection  with  the  establishment 
of  his  Society  Jias  been  traced  in  these  pa.ures.  As  a  superior  and  director 
of  young  candidates  for  the  priesthood  he  evinced  remarkable  ability. 
He  wrote  "  Rccueil  de  Conversions  Renuirquables,  nouvellemeut  operees 


III 


612 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


After  the  visit  of  Bishop  Carroll  to  Boston  and  the  dedica- 
tion of  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Cross,  the  two  devoted  priests, 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  Matignon  and  Cheverus,  continued  their  la- 
bors in  that  city,  with  visits  to  the  Catholics  scattered  from 
Connecticut  to  Maine.  Of  the  details  of  their  labors  we  have 
unfortunately  few  traces,  but  these  indicate  regular  visits  to 
Salem,  Providence,  Newport,  Bristol,  and  Burlington. 

Rev.  Mr.  Cheverus  visited  Maine  regularly,  and  found  a 
welcome  in  the  house  of  Edward  Kavanagh  at  Damariscotta. 
He  also  attended  the  Penobscot  and  Passamaquoddy  Indians, 
to  whom  he  was  able  to  give  a  resident  missionary  in  the  per- 
son of  the  Rev.  James  Romagne,  a  native  of  Mayeune,  about 
1804. 

This  good  priest  had  only  a  wretched  log-house  with  two 
rooms  for  a  dwelling,  and  a  log  chapel  hardly  better  built, 
but  though  delicate  in  health  he  labored  among  the  Indians 
for  nearly  twenty  years,  compiling  a  prayer-book  in  their  lan- 
guage and  producing  lasting  fruit.' 

Meanwhile  the  little  Catholic  flock  in  New  England  was 
gradually  increasing.  The  28  baptisms,  2  marriages,  and  4 
deaths  recorded  at  Boston  in  1790,  with  an  estimated  popu- 
lation of  160,  had  grown  in  1800  to  77  baptisms,  9  marriages, 


en  quelquea  Protestants,"  Paris,  1791 ;  and  a  Life  of  Rev.  Mr.  Olier, 
1813  ;  he  also  translated  Hny'fi  "  Miracles,"  Butler's  "Feasts  and  Fasts," 
Hay's  "  Devout  Christian,"  Challoner's  "  Catholic  Christian  Instructed," 
and  other  works. 

'  "History  of  the  Catholic  Missions  among  the  Indian  Tribes,"  New 
York,  1855,  p.  161 ;  "  Annales  de  la  Propagation  de  la  Foi,"  viii.,  pp. 
190-7;  Pilling,  "Bibliography  of  the  Languages  of  North  American 
Indians,"  Washington,  1885,  p.  1062;  Romagne,  "The  Indian  PniycT- 
Book  ;  compiled  and  arranged  for  the  benefit  of  the  Penobscot  and  Pas- 
samaquoddy Tribes,"  Boston,  18!54.  Bishop  Ple.ssis  of  Quebec,  wlio  at 
the  reipiest  of  Bishop  Cheverus  visited  Pleasant  Point  in  1815,  bears 
testimony  to  the  merit  of  Rev.  Mr.  Romagn6  ("  Relation  d'un  voyage  "). 


if*   1 

m 


ST.  PATRICK'S,  NEWCASTLE. 


613 


and  7  deaths,  with  a  population  computed  at  280.     In  1805 
the  population  must  have  been  about  five  hundred. 

No  movement  to  erect  a  church  was  possible  outside  of 
Boston,  except  in  Maine,  the  scene  of  Rev.  John  Cheverus' 
judicial  persecution.  A  letter  to  Bishop  Carroll  tells  its  his- 
tory: 

"  Newcastle  (Maine),  July  30th,  1808. 

"  Right  Rev'd  Sir  : 

"Dr.  Matignon  having  authorised  me  in  your  name  to 


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ST.  patuick's  ciiuiicn,  damariscotta. 

bless  the  Church  newly  constructed  here,  and  the  Cemetery 
adjoining  it,  I  performed  the  ceremony  on  Sundiiy  the  17th 
of  this  month.  The  church  is  called  St.  Patrick's ;  the  name 
seemed  to  gratify  our  friends  here  ;  I  liked  it  myself,  because 
it  proclaims  that  our  church  here  is  the  work  of  Irish  piety. 
"  The  Church  is  built  of  bricks,  50  feet  in  length,  and  25 
ft.  in  br.-^adth.     The  height  inside,  from  the  floor  to  the  high- 


l-n 


614 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


est  part  of  the  arched  ceiling  30  ft,,  5  arched  windows  15  ft. 
high  on  each  side.  Eacli  window  has  in  breadth  4  panes  of 
glass  11  by  15.  The  Altar,  Sanctuary,  «fec.,  are  very  neatly 
finished.  There  is  a  small  gallery  over  the  door,  with  a  semi- 
circular window.  It  is  on  the  whole,  a  very  neat  and  eli'gant 
little  Chapel.  The  Cemetery  is  walled  all  round,  and  has  a 
neat  gate :  A  larire  cross  is  placed  in  the  middle.  The  expense 
will  be  about  3.000  dols.,  out  of  which  I  am  afraid  our  gen- 
erous friends  Messrs.  Kavanagh  and  Cottrill  will  be  obliged 
to  pay  2.000.  They  have  given  also  3  acres  of  land,  on  part 
of  which  are  the  Church  and  the  Cemetery.  There  will  be 
room  enough  for  a  house,  garden,  and  orchard  for  a  Priest : 
the  church  is  built  in  such  manner,  that  an  addition  may  he 
made  to  it  whenever  it  becomes  necessary ;  but  the  congregation 
here  is  so  scattered,  that  they  can  never  be  here  all  together, 
and  a  Priest  to  do  good  must  often  visit  them,  and  officiate 
at  '■heir  own  houses.  How  happy  we  should  all  have  felt, 
had  we  been  blessed  with  your  presence !  '  Oh  that  our  good 
and  venerable  Bishop  were  here ! '  was  the  prayer  of  every 
heart,  and  repeated  by  every  tongue.  The  whole  assembly 
(and  it  was  a  numerous  and  respectable  one)  were  hospitably 
entertained  at  Mr.  Kavanagh's  house  and  feasted  upon  their 
excellent  mutton,  &c.  The  vestry  is  not  built  as  yet,  and 
we  want  6  candlesticks  for  the  Altar.  We  shall  try  to  get 
them  next  year.  One  thing  is  wanting  to  give  solidity  to 
this  new  establishment.  A  zealous  Pastor  who  should  re- 
side here  constantly.  It  is  always  with  regret,  I  leave  my 
respectable  friend  and  Pastor,  Dr.  Matignon  alone  in  Boston. 
His  health  is  precarious,  and  the  duties  of  his  ministry  are 
too  much  for  his  strength.  Of  course  my  visits  here  cannot 
be  long.  The  Rev'd  Mr.  Romagne  is  here  about  six  weeks 
before  Christmas,  after  Christmas  he  comes  to  Boston,  re- 
turns here  sometime  in  Lent,  and  goes  to  Passamaquoddy  a 


ST.  PATRICK'S,  NEWCASTLE. 


616 


little  after  Easter.  He  has  got  now  in  Passamaquoddy  a 
house,  and  a  neat  little  farm  round  it,  and  the  state  allows 
him  $350  per  annum.  He  told  me  last  winter,  he  neither 
expected  nor  wished  to  be  settled  at  Damariscotta.  Mr. 
Kavanagh  tells  me,  that  even  when  there  is  another  Priest 
here,  he  will  be  always  happy  to  have  M"^  Romagne  spend 
part  of  the  winter  in  his  family,  but  he  wishes  to  have  a 
Priest  settled  here,  if  possible.  The  zeal,  the  whole  gener- 
csity  of  the  dear  Mr.  Kavanagh  are  above  all  praise.  It  is 
he  who  encouraged  us  to  begin  our  church  in  Boston,  and 
who  was  the  greatest  help  towards  finishing  it.  He  inspires 
part  of  his  zeal,  into  the  heart  of  his  Partner  Mr.  Cottrill, 
who  never  originates  any  enterprise,  but  who  shows  himself 
willing  to  go  hand  in  hand  with  Mr.  Kavanagh  in  the  execu- 
tion. A  letter  from  you  would,  I  know,  be  received  with 
joy  and  gratitude  by  these  gentlemen.  Pertnit  me  therefore 
to  beg  of  you  to  write  to  them  instead  of  answering  me. 
Their  direction  is  '  Messrs.  Kavanagh  &  Cottrill,  Merchants, 
Newcastle,  Maine.'  Mr.  Kavanagh  tells  me  that  the  new 
Clergyman  will  have  board  and  lodging  in  his  family,  and 
also  will  have  a  horse  at  his  disposal.  He  will  besides  insure 
him  $200  per  annum,  part  of  which  will  be  pd.  by  the  Con- 
gregation. Clothing  will  be  the  only  expense  a  Priest  will 
be  at  in  this  place — washing,  mending,  &c.,  all  will  be  done 
for  him.  You  know  the  amiable  family  here.  A  Priest  is 
perfectly  at  home,  has  a  large  and  handsome  chamber,  and  is 
sure  to  be  waited  upon  with  pleasure,  and  to  have  at  his  or- 
ders whatever  is  in  the  house. 

"  For  these  ten  years  past,  I  have  every  year  spent  here  a 
considerable  time,  and  have  always  experienced  from  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Kavanagh  the  same  friendly,  respectful,  and  deli- 
cate attention. 

"  In  the  different  families  which  the  priest  must  visit  pretty 


,k 


i 


'I  r 


eie  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

often,  if  he  will  dc  good,  he  will,  i„  general,  have  everything 
comfortable.  Only  ti.o  winter  is  a  hard  season.  1  have,  when 
here,  found  no  inconvenience  from  it,  but  it  has  often  confined 
to  hjs  room  Mr.  Ron.agne,  who  is  of  a  delicate  constitution. 

The  congregation  here  being  mostly  composed  of  con- 

verte,  and  the  country  being  overrun  with  Methodists,  Bap- 

i-sts  &c.,  ,t  is  to  be  wished  the  Priest  would  preach  with 

facd.ty,  and  I  tlunk  it  would  be  better,  if  the  English  Ian- 

guage  was  his  native  tongue. 

'*R'  Rev.  Sir, 

"  Your  most  obed'  humble  servant, 

"John  Cheveeis." 

The  little  community  of  pious  women  gathered  by  Bishop 
Aeale  at  Georgetown,  had  not  yet  been  able  to  form  a  regu- 
lar  Convent  of  the  Visitation,  but  he  purchased  the  propertv 
of  the  French  nuns  and  all  other  property  on  the  square  fJr 
^leni  at  a  cost  of  $fi,420.  I„  the  spring  of  1808  Bishop 
Carroll  advised  that  the  ladies  should  make  as  sin.ple  vows 
the  vows  prescribed  by  the  rule  of  Visitation  r.uns,  afte^ 
passing  through  a  novitiate,  and  should  add  the  vow  of  en- 
tering the  religious  state."     But  difficulties  arose  and  thev 

18M  that  I>ishop  ^eale  permitted  them  to  make  simple  vows 
to  be  renewed  annually.  When  he  succeeded  to  the  see  of 
Baltimore  in  1815,  Archbishop  Neale  applied  to  the  Holy 
See  for  power  to  erect  the  Community  into  a  religious  house 
of  the  Order  of  the  Visitation,  with  all  the  rights  and  priv- 
ileges enjoyed  by  other  monasteries  of  the  rule.' 


;  Bishop  Carroll  to  Bishop  Neale.  January  26.  1807 ;  March  27.  1808 
Bishop  A cale  to  Bishop  Carroll   iMnrph  17   isok     qk       ,,  ^ 
vents."  Metropolitan.  Ballilnore  1855  Ifp  6^''  '      """' ''°"- 

The  Archbishop  received  on  the  feast  of  the  Holy  Innocents.  1816. 


>^ 


ORDINATIONS. 


617 


In  1808  Georgetown  College  began  to  revive.  A  dona- 
tion of  $500  enable!  tlie  Fatliers  to  complete  the  building, 
and  the  students  numbered  about  forty,  while  the  novitiate 
and  scholasticate  gave  promise  of  supplying  zealous  and  com- 
petent teaclu-rs.' 

On  the  death  of  Father  Molyneu.x,  the  Rev.  William  Mat- 
thews wa«  appointed  President  of  Georgetown  College,  and 
entered  the  novitiate  to  become  a  member  of  the  Society  of 
Jesus. 

Saturday,  June  11,  1808,  was  a  remarkable  d  .y  in  the  an- 
nals of  the  diocese  of  Baltimore,  as  on  it  Bishop  Carroll  or- 
dained two  priests  — Rev.  Messrs.  O'Brien  and  Rolor^  -it 
Baltimore,  and  Bishops  Neale  four  at  Georgetown—  ;  v  tj. 
Enoch  and  Benedict  Fenwick,  James  Spink  and  L  oi.ard 
Edelen.' 

When  the  long-desired  division  of  his  diocese  8eeme('  a 
be  at  last  on  the  point  of  being  actually  decreed  at  Rome, 
Bishop  Carroll  found  no  little  difficulty  in  recommending 
priests  suitable  for  the  new  sees.  He  would  gladly  have 
seen  the  mitre  of  Boston  rest  on  the  head  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Matignon,  but  that  worthy  priest  remonstrated  against  any 
design  of  nominating  him  for  the  episcopate.  "  The  good 
accomplished  here,"  he  wrote,  "is  almost  exclusively  the 
work  of  Mr.  Cheverus  ;  be  it  is  who  fills  the  pulpit,  who  is 
most  frequently  in  the  confessional,"  etc.  He  even  threat- 
ened to  leave  the  diocese  if  Bishop  Carroll  persisted  in  nomi- 

the  solemn  profession  of  the  religious  vows  made  by  Miss  Lalor,  Mrs. 
McDernn)tt,  and  Miss  Harriet  Brent,  the  tirst  as  Mother  of  the  Commu- 
nity, the  second  as  Assistant,  and  the  third  as  Mistress  of  Novices.  The 
rest  of  the  Community,  which  then  numbered  thirty-three,  took  their 
vows  on  the  feast  of  St.  Francis  de  Sales,  January  29, 1817.  Archbishop 
Neale  to  Mother  Dickinson,  December  21,  1816. 

'  Rev.  A.  Kohlmnnn  to  Rev.  Mr.  Strickland,  November  7,  1808. 

'  Bishop  Carroll  to  Bishop  Neale,  June  15, 1808. 


H 

t 
I 


i- 


618 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


I! 


Dating  him.     Yielding  at  last,  Dr.  Carroll  sent  to  Rome  the 
name  of  the  Rev.  John  Chevenis,  describing  him  as  "  in  the 
prime  of  life,  with  health  to  undergo  any  necessary  exertion, 
universally  esteemed  for  his  unwearied  zeal,  and  his  remark- 
able facility  and  eloquence  in  announcing  the  word  of  God, 
virtuous,  and  with  a  charm  of  manner  that  recalled  Catholics 
to  their  duties  and  disarmed  Protestants  of  their  prejudices."  ' 
The  see  of  Bardstown  seemed  due  to  Rev.  Mr.  Badin,  who 
had  done  so  nmch  of  the  pioneer  work  in  Kentucky,  but  his 
extreme  severity  had  made  him  unpopular,  and  Bishop  Car- 
roll recominended,  in  the  first  place.  Rev.  Benedict  J.  Flaget, 
of  tender  piety,  gentle  disposition,  and  well  versed  in  theol- 
ogy.    But  he,  too,  wsis  unwilling  to  assume  the  burthen  of 
the  episcopate.     "I  thought  proper  to  write  to  you,"  he 
eaid,  "  to  preclude  all  hope  of  my  ever  accepting  such  a  dig- 
nity, and  induce  you  to  appoint,  as  soon  as  possible,  another 
candidate  to  fill  up  the  place  I  shall  certainly  leave  vacant. 
After  so  positive  a  declaration,  I  beg  of  you,  with  tears  in 
my  eyes,  to  let  me  forever  enjoy  unmolested  the  humble 
post  I  occupy,  which  suits  me  a  thousand  times  better  than 
the  conspicuous  one  I  have  obtained  through  your  good- 
ness," ' 

For  the  see  of  Philadelphia  Bishop  Carroll  recommended 
the  Rev.  Patrick  Michael  Egan,  a  priest  of  the  Order  of  St. 
Francis,  modest,  humble,  and  zealously  observing  the  spirit 
of  his  holy  rule  in  his  whole  life. 

New  York  lie  advised  the  Holy  Father  to  place  under  the 
care  of  the  Bishop  of  Boston  till  a  suitable  choice  could  be 
made  for  that  see.' 


'  Rev.  F.  A.  Mntignon  to  Bishop  Carroll,  April  6, 1807. 
«  Rev.  B.  J.  Fluget  to  Bishop  Carroll,  October  'M.  1808. 
•  Evidently  unnwiirc  that  Dr.  Carroll  projjosed  to  have  only  three  bish- 


BISHOPS  APPOINTED. 


619 


The  country  northwest  of  the  Ohio  he  thought  might  be 
confided  temporarily  to  the  Bishop  of  Bardstown,  and  that 
south  of  Tennessee  to  Louisiana.  For  that  vacant  diocese,  so 
weakened  by  scandals  and  rent  by  schisms,  he  could  not  yet 
suggest  any  candidate.' 

The  nominations  made  by  Bishop  Carroll  were  all  ratified 
by  the  Sovereign  Pontiff.  For  the  see  of  New  York  Pius 
VII.,  apparently  on  the  recommendation  of  Archbishop  Troy 
of  Dublin,  who  had  gradually  acquired  a  great  influence  at 
Kome  in  the  affairs  of  the  Church  in  this  country,  appointed 
the  Dominican  Father  Eichard  Luke  Concanen,  who  had 
resided  many  years  at  Eome  as  the  agent  of  the  Irish  bish- 
ops, and  wlio  had  been  a  correspondent  of  Bishop  Carroll. 
This  religious,  however,  who  had  already  refused  the  sees  of 
Kilmacduagh  and  Kilfenora,  urged  the  appointment  of  a 
Brother  Dominican,  Rev.  John  Connolly. 


ops  appointed,  Bishop  Flaget  subsequently  blamed  him  for  having  had 
four. 

'  Bishop  Carroll  to  Cardinal  Pietro,  June  17, 1807. 


OEOIIOETOWN  COLLEQE,    FROM  THE  POTOMAC. 


I^,- 


»'< 


,-J 


>, 


'i;il 


POUTKAll    UK  AUCUHI9II0P  CAHUOLL.      FUOM  THE   PAINTINQ   BY  STUART. 


.0201 


CHAPTER  y. 

DIVISION   OF   THE   DIOCESE. EKECTION  OF  THE  SEES  OF  BOSTON, 

NEW  YORK,  PHILADELPHIA,  AND  BAEDSTOWN, — MOST  REV. 
JOHN  CARROLL,  AKCHBI8HOP  OF  BALTIMORE. — HISTORY  OF 
THE   DIOCESE   OF   BALTIMORE,   1808-1815. 

On  the  Stli  of  April,  1808,  Pope  Pius  VII.,  by  his  Bulls 
"Pontificii  Muneris"  and  "Ex  debito  Pastoralis  Officii," 
divided  the  diocese  of  Baltimore,  and  erected  the  sees  of 
New  York,  Philadelphia,  Boston,  and  Bardstown. 

The  Bulls  recited  that  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  had  heard 
with  great  joy  that  the  Catholic  religion  was  ir.oreasing  daily 
in  the  United  States  in  vitality  and  growth  ;  that  the  nuinbep 
of  the  faithful  who  bowed  their  necks  to  its  sweet  yoke  was 
by  God's  blessing  greater  and  more  copious.  As  therefore 
the  one  bishop  who  is  established  in  the  see  of  Baltimore 
cannot  properly  direct  a  flock  increashig  at  points  so  far  re- 
moved from  each  other,  his  Holiness,  knowing  that  the  young 
lambs  of  Christ's  flock  had  greater  need  of  pastoral  care  and 
protection,  hastened  to  give  an  increase  of  new  pastors,  to 
obviate  the  ditticulty  of  distance,  and  nmltiply  s])iritual  suc- 
cor. After  delil)erating  on  the  matter  with  his  venerable 
brethren,  the  Cardinals  of  the  Congregation  de  Propaganda 
Fide,  he  proceeds :  "  By  the  advice  of  the  said  Brethren, 
We  by  the  apostolical  authority,  by  the  tenor  of  these  pres- 
ents, erect  and  constitute  four  newepiscopal  sees  in  the  said 
States,  for  four  respective  bishops,  now  and  hereafter  when- 
ever a  vacancy  occurs  in  any  of  said  sees,  to  be  elected  and 

(68i) 


t 


•ilii 


622 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


^nstituted  by  us  and  the  apostolic  see,  namely,  Ist,  New 
York,  which  is  to  have  as  a  diocese  the  whole  State  of  that 
name,  and  the  eastern  part  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey  con 
tiguous  thereto ;  2d,  Philadelphia,  the  diocese  whereof  in- 
cludes the  entire  two  States  of  Pennsylvania  and  Delaware 
and  the  western  and  southern  part  of  the  said  State  of  New 
Jersey ;  3d,  Boston,  with  a  diocese  in  which  we  include  these 
States,  namely,  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island 
Connecticut,  and  Vermont ;  4th,  Bardstown,  that  is,  in  the 
town  or  city  of  Bardstown,  and  thereto  we  assign  as  a  diocese 
the  States  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  and  until  otherwise 
provided  by  this  Apostolic  See,  the  territories  lying  north- 
west of  the  Ohio,  and  extending  to  the  great  lakes  and  which 
he  between  them  and  the  diocese  of  Canada,  and  extending 

along  them  to  the  boundary  of  Pennsylvania Finally, 

We  give  and  assign  the  beforementioned  churches  and  eadi 
one  of  them  as  provincials  and  suilVagaiis  of  the  Church  of 
Baltimore,  which  we  have  this  day,  by  the  counsel  and  au- 
thority aforesaid,  erect-^.  into  an  arehiepiscopal  and  metro- 
politan church." ' 

This  Bnef  with  the  Bulls  appointing  Father  Richard  Luke 
Concanen  to  the  see  of  New  York  ;  Father  Michael  E-an  to 
the  see  of  Philadelphia  ;  Rev.  John  Cheverus  to  the  see  of 
Boston,  and  Rev.  Benedict  Joseph  Flaget  to  the  see  of  Bards- 
town, as  well  as  the  Brief  erecting  Baltimore  into  an  Arehi- 
episcopal See,  and  the  Pallium  for  Archbishop  Carroll,  were 
conlided  to  the  Bishop-elect  of  New  York. 

That  learned  Dominican  was  just  recovering  from  a  long 
and  dangerous  illness,  and  was  still  confined  to  his  bed,  when 

April  »,  1808.        Biillariuin  Romanum,"  xiii..  pp.  280,  382     TJicv  ..r< 
incorrectly  printed,  and  I  Lave  followed  a  contemporaneous  manuscript 


it;\ 


BISHOP  CONCANEN.  623 

Cardinal  di  Pietro  came  to  his  bedside  to  tell  him,  in  the 
name  of  the  Pope,  that  he  must  accept  the  great  charge,  and 
that  such  was  the  will  of  God.     He  accordingly  acquiesced, 
and  was  consecrated  with  great  pomp  in  the  Church  of  the 
Nuns  of  St.  Catharine  at  Eome,  on  the  24th  of  April,  1808, 
by  Cardinal  di  Pietro,  with  two  archbishops  as  assistants! 
He  seems  to  have  obtained  considerable  donations  in  money, 
vestments,  plate,  etc.,  for  his  diocese,  filling  cases,  which 
greatly  impeded  his  travelling  at  a  time  when  every  moment 
was  precious.     Although  scarcely  recovered  from  his  illness, 
he  left  Eome  on  the  3d  of  June  for  Leghorn,  where  he  hoped 
to  find  a  vessel  for  some  port  in  the  United  States,  but  the 
American  vessels  were  sequestered  by  the  French  then  in 
possession  of  the  place,  because  they  were  visited  by  the 
English  cruisers.     After  remaining  in  vain  for  months  at 
Leghorn  and  Locanda,  and  expending  large  sums  of  money, 
Bishop  Concanen  left  his  cases,  with  the  pallium,  bulls,  and 
other  official  papers,  in  charge  of  Messrs.  Filicchi,  with  direc- 
tions to  forward  them  to  Archbishop  Carroll  when  a  safe 
opportunity  presented  itself.    He  himself  returned  to  Rome, 
where  the  Holy  Father  assigned  him  a  pension,  his  promo- 
tion to  the  episcopate  having  left  him  witii  no  claim  on  the 
houses  of  his  order.     He  remained  at  Tivoli  and  in  Rome  till 
the  spring  of  1810,  discharging  a  great  deal  of  business  for 
the  Irish  prelates,  and  performing  episcopal  acts  in  Rome,  then 
greatly  in  need  of  the  services  of  Bishops,  as  the  Pope,  with 
many  Cardinals  and  Bishops,  had  been  carried  oflF.    In  April 
Br.  Concanen  wrote  that  he  was  about  to  start  for  his  diocese.' 


'  Hisliop  Concanen  to  Archbishop  Troy,  .Alnrch  25,  May  21  1808 
Same  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  July  23,  1808 ;  to  Archbishop  Troy'  Octo- 
ber 8.  November  19,  1808,  March  22,  May  20,  1809,  January  3'  1810- 
to  Archbishop  Carroll,  August  9,  1809 ;  to  Bishop  Milner,  August  25,' 
1808. 


r,',  \ . 

1 


i  111 


624 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


He  was  greatly  de  r.,  essr  d  by  the  long  delay,  and  even  pro- 
posed to  resign  the  see  of  New  York.  "After  the  series  of 
trials  and  disappointments  that  I  experienced  ever  since  my 
unfortunate  appointment  to  ^he  see  of  New  York,"  to  quote 
his  words  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  "  the  greatest  consolation  I 
felt  was  that  of  receiving  your  Grace's  inestimable  letter  of 
20  Jan.  last.  The  pleasure  and  approbation  you  so  kindly 
express  at  my  promotion  ;  the  satisfaction  nhown  on  that  oc- 
casion by  our  beloved  Catholics  of  New  York  ;  and  the  pleas- 
ing account  you  give  of  the  present  state  of  th.-.t  Churcli,  are 
to  me  objecu?  of  the  highest  estimation.  I  i^a\^e  ever  had  a 
sensible  predilection  for  the  Americans,  and  a  desire  (whicli 
obedience  on)}'  rendered  ineffectual)  of  serving  in  that  mis- 
sion ;  but  ne/er  indeed  ii,"..l  I  the  ambition  of  appearing' 
there  in  quality  of  u  bisii  j>  espr^'iaHy  in  my  advanced  age 
and  weakened  by  my  late  iiifirjnitK  i^.  Now  tJat  I  am  bound 
to  uudeitake  the  arduous  char; .-,  yon  uiay  imagine  what  con- 
cern and  itffliction  it  givi\^  me  to  ha  sequestered  here  so  long, 
spectator  of  tragic  scenes,  wljieh  cannot  be  unknown  to  you  ; 
and  wasting  timt  remnant  of  life  which  ought  to  be  employed 
in  tlie  service  of  my  beloved  Hock."  ' 

Rev.  Mr.  Flagei  Imd  gone  to  France  to  escape,  if  possible, 
the  i'piscopate  imposed  un  him,  but  finding  that  the  Sover- 
eign Pontiff  ordered  him  to  submit,  souglit  priests  and  aid 
for  his  new  diocese.  While  he  was  in  France,  an  appeal  was 
made  to  Cu;-ifinal  Fesch  in  favor  of  Bishop  Concanen,  and  a 
passjjort  actually  obtained,  permitting  him  to  come  to  France 
and  embark.  Hut  he  was  afraid  to  undertake  the  journey, 
tliougb  he  might  have  joined  Dr.  Flaget  and  accompanied 


11111. 


'  Bishop  Concanen  to  Ai-dibishop  Carroll,  August  9, 1809. 
»  Bishop  Carroll  to  if.  Chnrles  Plowden,  September  19, 1809. 


624 


LI; 


A  RCHBISIIOP  CARROLt. 


He  was  grcatl^    kprtsssed  bv  the  long  delay,  and  ev(?i 
poned  to  it.-;^;,  ;;ifc  see  of  ^New  Vurk.     "After  the  ser^v 
trials  and  (!i«»apjxjintm6rtti'  that  I  experienced  ever  einc 
uttfnrtuMlti  spj|x»intin<»nt  *;>  tiie  see  of  New  York,''  to  (,i. 


Lis  w 


a.^ 


<'prii 

sjK'ctstor 

aiid  wasting  that  rm< 

in  the  !»t»rvicc  of  tiiv 


irroll.  ''  the  greatcf^t  consoluti 
'iir  Grai'c's  inestimable  letu 
.ind  approbation  you  so  kit*.' 

the  satisfaction  shown  on  that 

'K'sof  New  York;  and  the  p! 
j -resent  state  of  that  Clnu-ch,  :  ■ 

'  estimation.  J  have  ever  la'..; 
American!*,  and  a  desire  (w);' 
^■rtiial)  of  serving  in  tliat  i. 

ih*'     Muiiitii'll     i.>f    appiM;  , 

cially  in  my  advarieed  a^s* 

"  -      Now  that  I  am  boun»i 

.    ,  may  imagine  what  con 

'  '.^'  •ifH^nestered  here  so  long. 

u<»h  «U)!!^  ■  '^!'  iii''.;i:iM  !i  to  yon  . 
which  ought  (o  be  employed 

;■''■  '!■' '    '■!  ;--(Mjii,',  ji'  i'i>  .>ible, 

;>    i  :.  iw'.'   tii.it   th''  Sover 

itHnit,  s«>ught  priests  and  ai«l 

h*  wa*  in  Fran**,  an  ajipeal  wag 

'•'■    '        ''  i!id  a 

■  ■  ',  ■■'alloc 

;.i-  j'-nrney. 

awompaiiied 


:.    AugiJStO.  1809. 
-ni-uiborlO.  1809. 


P 


'-f-  y 


R^   REV.  RICHARD  LUKE  CONCANEN, 

FIRST    BISHOP   OF    NEW  YORK. 

CuiJiiijti  b-Jo:.ia>.:;.  ..'.trie 


» 


BISHOP  CONCANEN. 


621 


Bishop  Concanen  reached  Naples,  where  he  succeeded  iu 
securing  passage  on  the  "  Frances,"  Ca])tain  Haskell,  for  Sa- 
lem, Massachusetts,  the  only  vessel  permitted  to  clear  for  the 
United  States.  The  captain  consented  to  take  him  only  at 
the  urgent  request  of  Mr.  Filicchi,  of  Leghorn,  and  the 
American  consuls,  Hammet  and  Appleton  ;  but  he  waa  not 
to  have  any  c  apanion  or  attendant.  Some  excellent  young 
priests,  who  had  offered  their  services  for  his  diocese,  were 
thus  compelled  to  remain.  The  vessel  was  to  sail  on  Sunday, 
June  ITth.' 

A  passport  was  reciuired,  and  as  he  had  one  from  General 
Miollis,  governor  of  Eome,  no  difficulty  was  anticipated; 
but  when  Mr.  Hammet,  the  American  Consul  at  Naples,  ap- 
plied in  person  to  the  Board  of  Police,  those  officials  not 
only  pretended  that  his  papers  were  unsatisfactory,  b'  dis- 
patched an  officer  to  the  Bishop's  lodgings  with  a  formui  in- 
timation  to  him  not  lo  embark  at  his  peril  without  a  proper 
license  from  governraeut. 

This  unexpected  step  threw  the  venerable  bishop  into  a 
great  agitation,  and  as  soon  as  he  could  recover  self-control, 


-f- 


vUc/fv  ^^ /A^i       &47yi  ectatxytiy 


-K. 


eioNATmr  v)f  bibhop  concanen. 


he  turned  to  the  Re\  Mr.  Lorr'  -di,  a  ;>riest  who  was  in  the 
room  at  the  time,  and  said  :  '■  now  I  may  bid  a  farewell 

to  America  forever.  I  pray  you,  niy  iiear  Abbd  Lombardi, 
to  see  that  whatever  regards  ni.  funeral  and  burial  be  done 
in  a  dei  iit  manner,  so  is  not  to  ilisgrace  my  rank  and  char- 
acter."    The  clergyitian  thought  this  merely  a  res.  ''•  of  his 


'  Bishop  Concanen  to  Rev.  Ambrose  Marechal,  Naples,  June 
27 


1810. 


I 


™'' 


026 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


depression  at  the  sudden  overthrow  of  his  plans,  but  it  was 
a  clear  foresight  t)f  his  approaching  end.     He  was  at  once 
taken  down  with  a  fever,  and  on  Monday  made  his  confes- 
sion  to  Rev.  Mr.  Lombard!,  stating  that  it  would  bo  his  last, 
and  it  was  with  such  deep  compunction  a«  moved  the  clergy! 
man  deeply.     The  Bishop  asked  to  be  left  alone,  and  Rev. 
Mr.  Lombardi  withdrew,  apprehending  no  danger,  but  on  his 
return  the  next  morning  he  found  Dr.  '  jncanen  speechless. 
As  he  was  still  conscious,  he  imparted  the  final  absolution, 
and  the  Bishop  expired  withoirt  the  lea-st  struggle.     "  On 
Wednesday,  the  20th,  in  the  Church  of  San  Domenico  Mag- 
giore,  were  performed  over  his  remains  with  due  solemnity 
the  funeral  rites  as  he  de  ired  ;  and  in  the  same  church,  in 
the  vault  of  his  confreres,  he  was  afterwards  interred."  • 

Such  was  the  sad  close  of  the  life  of  the  first  bishop  of 
New  York,  whose  days  from  his  consecration  were  filled 
with  trials  and  disappointments. 

His  effects  in  Naples  were  seized  by  the  authorities  and 
rifled. 

In  1809  the  revived  Society  of  J.  ,us  sustained  a  severe 
loss  m  the  death  of  the  Very  Rev.  Ko})ert  Molyneux,  who 
expired  on  the  9th  of  December,  at  the  age  of  seventy,  pre- 
pared for  the  awful  moment  "  by  a  life  of  candor,  virtue 
and  innocence,  and  by  all  those  hel])s  which  are  mercifully 
ordained  for  the  comfort  and  advantage  of  departing  Chris- 
tians." 


Rev  Peter  Plunkett  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  Soptember  3, 1810  •  Rev 
A  Kohlmanns  notice  in  '•  N,  Y.  Spectator,"  October  6,  1810.  iy  hi; 
will,  which  he  had  forwarded  to  Rome.  Bishop  Concanen  left  all  hs 
property  to  the  Rev.  E.lward  D.  Fenwick  for  I  T^orlZ^^l^ 
Kentucky,  excepting  a  few  legacies  to  relatives  in  Ireland,  and  his  chal- 
ice, pontifical,  etc..  which  he  bequeathed  to  the  Cathedral  in  New  York 
lb.  I  have  made  earnest  effort  to  find  the  spot  where  the  Bishop's  re- 
mains now  are,  but  there  seems  no  clue. 


THE  JESUITS. 


627 


To  Archbishop  Carroll  it  was  a  severe  blow.  "  He  was 
my  oldest  friend,"  he  wrote,  "  after  my  relation  and  com- 
panion to  St.  Oiner  in  my  childhood,  Mr.  Charles  Carroll  of 
Carrollton,  remaining  amongst  us,  as  he  often  and  feelingly 
reminded  me  the  last  time  I  saw  him  in  the  month  of  Sep- 
tembei-,  with  very  slender  hopes  of  meeting  more  in  this 
world." 

^  Previous  to  his  death  Father  Molyneux  had  appointed 
Father  Charles  Neale  to  be  Superior  of  the  Society  of  Jesus 
in  the  United  States.' 

Bishop  Carroll,  uneasy  at  tLe  position  of  that  body,  had 
addressed  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  to  obtain  a  clear  canonical 
status  for  them  by  a  special  bull  derogating  from  the  brief 
of  Clement  XIY.'  Father  Concanen  had  manifested  a  great 
interest  in  their  restoration,  and  the  reply  of  Pope  Pius  VII. 
with  documents  relating  to  the  Society  of  Jesus  in  America, 
were  confided  to  him  when,  as  Bishop  of  New  York,  he  at- 
tempted to  set  out  for  his  see.  But  on  his  death  at  Naples 
these  documents  disappeared,  and  never  reached  Archbishop 
Carroll. 

During  the  long  delay  of  two  years,  in  which  Dc.  Carroll 
was  in  constant  expectation  of  the  arrival  of  Bishop  Conca- 
nen, with  the  bulls  dividing  the  diocese  of  Baltimore  and 
erecting  new  sees,  the  bull  raising  Baltimore  to  an  archiepis- 
copal  see  and  the  pallium,  he  had  been  in  a  most  anomalous 
position.  He  knew  that  his  diocese  had  been  divided  and 
that  the  Bishop  of  New  York  had  been  consecrated.  Bishop 
Concanen  had,  at  an  early  day,  dispatched  a  letter  empower- 
ing him  to  appoint  a  Yicar-General  in  the  name  of  both,  to 


'  Bishop  Cnrioll  to  F.  Chnrles  Plowden,  February  21,  1809 ;  Foley, 
"  Records  of  the  English  Provinc,"  vii.,  p.  ,)14. 

«  Bishop  Carroll  to  F.  Cliarles  Plowdeu,  January  10,  1808 ;  to  Very 
Rev.  Charles  Neale,  November  8,  1811. 


1! 


:!> 


M 


W.\\ 


628 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


administer  the  diocese  of  New  York.  To  this  position  Arch- 
bishop Carroll  appointed  the  great  theologian  and  missionary, 
Father  Anthony  Kohlraaim,  but  though  the  venerable  Arch- 
bishop probably  was  never  conscious  of  the  fact,  Bishop 
Concanen  took  umbrage  at  his  course  in  sending  Jesuits  to 

8IQNATUHE  OF  FATHER  ANTHONY  KOHLMANN. 

New  York  and  at  their  establishment  of  a  college.  The  or- 
ganization of  the  diocese  of  New  Y^-k  was,  however,  the 
work  of  Father  Kohhnann  as  Vicai  general  and  Adminis- 
trator. 

Over  the  other  new  dioceses,  having  no  official  notice  of 
their  erection.  Bishop  Carroll  continued  his  jurisdiction.'  Dr. 
Concanen,  however,  finding  the  time  of  his  departure  uncer- 
tain, forwarded  to  Rev.  Mr.  Emery  authentic  copies  of  all 
the  bulls  for  Archbishop  Carroll  and  his  suffragans.'  Mon- 
signor  Quarantotti  also,  after  the  death  of  the  Bishop  of  New 
York,  forwarded  another  copy  of  the  Briefs  from  Rome,  in- 
trusting them,  as  well  as  the  paliium  for  the  Archbishop,  to 
Rev.  Maurice  Virola,  a  Franciscan  Father,  then  setting  out 
for  the  United  States.' 


'  Bisliop  Concanen  to  Archbishop  Troy,  .Ii-nuary  3,  1810.  Rev.  Mr. 
Mnrccliul  hnd  advised  him  to  take  over  some  Franciscan  Fathers  from 
St.  Isidore's  to  open  an  academy  in  New  Yorli. 

»  Bishop  Concanen  to  Rev.  A.  Marechal,  Naple:'.  June  15,  1810. 

"  Mprr.  Qniirantotti  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  .Tune  X'O,  1810.  The  set  of 
briefs  forwarded  tliroutrh  Rev.  Mr.  Emery  were  those  on  which  Arch- 
bishop Carroll  acted  ;  they  were  broucrht  over  by  Dr.  Flaget,  who  ar- 
rived in  this  country  in  August.  Archbishop  Carroll  to  Bishop  of  Que- 
bec, Septem'KT  15,  1810. 


THE  SUFFRAGAN  BISHOPS. 


629 


The  arrival  of  one  of  these  sets  enabled  the  Archbishop- 
elect  to  proceed  to  the  consecration  of  the  clergymen  desig- 
nated for  the  sees  of  Boston,  Philadelphia,  and  Bards- 
town. 

In  a  little  pamphlet  issued  at  the  time,  these  solemn  cere- 
monies were  thus  announced  : 

"  The  Catholic  Church  of  the  United  States,  which  for 
two  centuries  in  the  midst  of  the  greatest  obstructions,  never 
ceased  to  be  upheld  by  the  fervent  zeal  of  its  holy  mission- 
aries, received  after  the  Revolution  such  rapid  increase  that 
the  Holy  See  in  1789  thought  it  advisable,  instead  of  Apos- 
tolical Yicars,  to  appoint  a  permanent  Episcopal  See  in  Balti- 
more for  the  whole  United  States.  Since  which  period  the 
number  of  Catholic  Congregations  daily  springing  up  in 
every  direction  has  at  last  induced  Pius  VII.,  the  present 
venerable  Pontiff,  who  in  the  midst  of  tribulations  most 
bitter  to  nature,  but  equally  glorious  in  his  divine  Master,  so 
worthily  fills  the  pontifical  chair,  to  erect  Baltimore  into  a 
Metropolis  or  Archbishoprick,  and  to  establish  four  new  suf- 
fragan Dioceses,  namely,  N.  York,  Philadelphia,  Boston,  and 
Bardstown  in  Kentucky.  The  first  pastors  appointed  for  the 
new  Sees  are  for  N.  York,  the  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Luke  Concannen, 
who  unfortunately  died  at  Naples  in  July  last,  on  the  point 
of  embarking  for  the  United  States.  For  Philadelphia,  the 
Rt.  Rev.  John  Egan.  For  Boston,  the  Rt.  Rev.  John  Cliev- 
erus.  For  Bardstown,  Rt,  Rev.  Ben.  Jph.  Fhiget,  characters 
already  long  revered  among  the  Catholics  of  the  United 
States,  and  whose  promotion  is  to  be  considered  less  as  a  re- 
ward of  their  apostolic  virtues,  than  as  a  common  blessing 
upon  the  flocks  committed  to  their  care. 

"  The  const orati  ns  will  take  place  as  follows  :  Dr.  Egan's 
lit  St.  Peter's,  Baltimore,  on  Sunday,  28th  of  October.  Dr. 
('heverus'  at  ditto  on  All  Saints'  day.     Dr.  Flaget's  at  St. 


f 


630 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Patrick's,  Fell's  Point,  on  the  4rtli  of  November.     Conse- 
crator,  the  Most  Kev.  Dr.  John  Carroll."  ' 

The  Instructions,  after  exposing  the  apostolic  succession 
and  the  dignity  of  the  episcopate,  proceeds :  "  May  these 
prayers  dictated  by  zeal  and  universal  charity  be  the  constant 
proof  of  our  gratitude  to  the  Lord  for  the  innumerable  bless- 
ings, vouchsafed  to  this  country,  since  the  consecration  of 
our  first  Bishop.  To  multiply  the  means  of  siilvation  and 
increase  vigilance  over  the  sacred  interests  of  religion,  Bish- 
ops ever  present  and  near  to  them,  are  now  to  be  given  to 
separate  portio'is  of  this  once  so  extensive  Diocese.  Boston, 
Philadelphia,  N.  York,  und  the  vast  countries  of  Kentucky, 
Tennessee,  and  Missiscippi !  The  Lord  has  spoken  to  Peter, 
Peter  by  his  successors  io  Pius  VIL,  and  the  apostolical  suc- 
cession begins  after  so  many  ages  to  display  itself  to  you, 
that  it  may  be  r'or*inued  tlirough  your  chief  pastors,  even  to 
the  remotest  po.5terity.  May  the  consecration  of  the  heads 
of  these  new  holy  generations  add  warmth  to  our  piety  ;  and 
whether  we  be  witnesses  to  those  awful  ceremonies,  or  be 
obliged  to  content  ourselves  with  drawing  from  a  description 
of  them  fresh  motives  for  edification,  let  us  unite  in  the  fer- 
vent prayers  which  the  ('hurch  is  going  to  offer  for  the  suc- 
cess of  their  ministry."  ' 

To  give  greater  solemnity  and  iinpressiveness  to  the  rite, 
the  Archbisho])-elect  had  determined  to  consecrate  each  of 
the  three  suffragans  on  a  different  day.  The  Right  Rev.  I>r. 
Egar  was  consecrated  Bishop  of  Philadelphia  at  St.  Peter's, 


'  "  Instnictions  on  tlie  Erection  of  four  new  Catholic  Episcopal  Sees 
in  the  United  StiUes  iiiul  -he  Consecration  of  their  first  Bishops,"  etc., 
Baltimore,  1810,  pp.  iii.-5.  Tliere  is  also  in  the  pamphlet  a  French  ttxt, 
evidently  the  orijrinal,  and  somewhat  more  extended  timii  t!;<'  Enfi;lish. 
Thus  it  reads:  "  Le  \i.  P.  Luc  Concannou,  Dominicain  dont  la  personne 
etoit  partieulii^reraeut  ch^re  au  St.  Pi^re." 

'  lb.,  pp.  28-4. 


CONSECEATIONS. 


631 


the  pro-cathedral,  on  Sunday,  October  28;  1810,  the  Arch- 
bishop-elect having  a8  assistants  the  Bishops-elect  of  Boston 
and  Bardstown ;  the  Eight  Eev.  Dr.  Chevema  was  conse- 
crated in  the  same  church  on  the  feast  of  All  Saints  by 
Archbishop  Carroll,  with  Bishops  Neaie  and  Egan  as  assist- 
ants, the  Dominican  Father  W.  Y.  Harold  preaching  the 
sermon ; '  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Flaget  was  consecrated  Bishop 
of  Bardstown  in  St.  Patrick's  Church,  Fell's  Point,  on  the 
4th  of  November,  by  the  Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  assisted 
by  the  Bishops  of  Philadelphia  and  Boston,  Dr.  Cheverus 
preaching  on  the  occasion." 

The  sacred  orators  paid  a  tribute  of  homage  to  the  vener- 
able head  of  the  American  hierarchy.  "  You  have  not  to 
resort  to  antiquity,"  said  the  eloquent  Dominican,  "  for  an 
example  of  Episcopal  virtue.  That  bounteous  God,  whose 
manifold  blessings  overspread  this  land,  whose  boundless 
mercies  claim  our  warmest  gratitude,  still  preserves  for  your 
advantage,  a  living  encouragement  to  such  virtue  and  a  fair 
model  for  your  imitation.  You  will  seek  both  in  your  ven- 
erable and  most  reverend  Prelate — you  will  find  both  in  the 
Father  of  the  American  Church,  and  under  God  the  author 
of  its  prosperity.  In  him  you  will  find  that  meekneos  which 
is  the  best  fruit  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  tliat  humility  which  for 
Christ's  sake  makes  him  the  servant  of  all,  that  richly  pol- 
ished character  which  none  but  great  minds  can  receive, 
which  nothing  but  virtur  can  impart."  ' 


'  Certiflcate  of  the  consecration,  November  1,  1810,  preserved  at  St. 
Mary's  Seminary,  Baltimore;  Harold,  "Sermon  preached  in  the  Cath- 
olic Church  of  St.  Peter,  Baltimore,  November  1,  1810,  on  occasion  of 
the  consecration  of  the  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  John  Cheverus,  Bishop  of  Boston," 
Baltimore,  1810. 

•'  Desgeorge,  "  Monseigneur  Flaget,"  Paris,  1855,  p.  36. 

'  Harold,  "  Sermon  preached  in  the  Catholic  Church  of  St.  Peter," 
pp.  10-20. 


632 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


I 


' ..  li 


I!    ' 


Bishop  Cheverus,  in  the  discourse  which  he  pronounced, 
saluted  Archbishop  Carroll  as  the  Elias  of  the  new  law,  the 
father  of  the  clergy,  the  conductor  of  the  chariot  of  Israel  in 
the  New  World — "  Pater  mi,  Pater  mi,  currus  Israel  et  au- 
riga  ejus."  ' 

On  the  17th  of  .December  Archbishop  Carroll,  in  the  name 
of  his  coadjutor  and  the  Bishops  of  Philadelphia,  Boston,  and 
Bardstown,  wrote  to  the  Sovereign  Pontiff,  transmitting  an 
account  of  the  consecrations  and  of  liis  assumption  of  tlie 
title  of  Archbishop,  no  pallium  having  yet  reached  him,  and 
its  arrival  being  uncertain. 


•f 


-/t/44t^     Uiloo' 


t/x*<^ 


y   "  //t^f^.f  ifitpL    yUyi'   ■'Z^JL^   •     J*-    //«.,•</)  <i>^wVt, 

BIONATURES  OF   BISTtOP  CHEVEUDS  OF  BOSTON,  BlSnOP  EOAN   OF 
PHILADELPHIA,  AND   BISHOP  FLAG'T  OF   BAIIDBTOWN. 

Meanwliile  liis  coadjutor  and  suffragans  had  remained  for 
two  weeks  with  Dr.  Carroll  to  advise  on  many  points  of  regu- 
lation and  discipline.  "  tlmt  we  may  form  an  uniform  practise 
in  the  government  of  our  rhurclies ;  and  likewise  to  take  into 
consideration  the  present  state  of  the  Catholic  Church,  its 
visible  head,  our  Venerable  Pontiff,  and  the  consequences  of 
liis  being  withdrawn  from  his  cafHivity.  either  by  violence. 


'  [Humon]  "  Vie  du  rnrdinnl  dc  Clievenw,"  Pn  '\  1858.  pp.  10»-4 ; 
Walsh's  translatiou,  Phila(l(>l|)liiu.  1839,  p.  85  ,  Mtpwurt's,  Boston,  1»30, 
p  95. 


PASTORAL  OF  1810. 


633 


or  the  ruin  of  his  constitution  by  interior  and  exterior  suffer- 
ings." 

Several  articles  of  ecclesiastical  discipline  were  adopted 
which  with  the  Synod  of  1791  remained  in  force  for  the 
next  twenty  years  as  the  statutes  of  the  Church  in  the  United 
States.  They  related  to  the  faculties  of  regular  and  secular 
clergy,  to  exeats,  parochial  registers,  the  e-acraraents  of  baptism 
and  matrimony,  retribution  for  masses,  and  the  adoption  of  the 
Douay  Bible,  of  course  as  revised  by  Bishop  Cliallouer,  of  which 
two  editions  had  already  appeared.  The  faithful  were  to  be 
warned  against  the  dangers  of  theatres,  public  balls,  and  novel- 
reading.  Tlie  last  regulation  provided  that  Freemasons  should 
be  excluded  from  the  sacraments  till  they  renounced  all  con- 
nection witii  the  association,  and  promised  no  more  to  attend 
the  meetings.  The  result  of  their  deliberations  was  imparted 
to  their  respective  flocks  in  the  following 

"PA8T<<BAL   OF   THE   BISHOPS    IN    1810. 

"  The  most  Reverend  Archbishop,  and  Right  lev.  Bishops 
lately  assembled  at  Baltimore  took  into  their  serious  consid- 
eration the  State  of  the  Churches  under  their  care ;  but  not 
being  then  able  to  extend  their  enquiries  and  collect  full  in- 
formation concerning  many  points,  which  require  uniform 
regulation,  and  perhaps  amcTidment,  they  reserved  to  a  fu- 
ture occasion  a  general  review  of  the  ecclesiastical  discipline 
now  observed  throughout  the  different  dioceses,  and  the  re- 
ducing of  it  every  where  to  as  strict  conformity  with  thai  of 
the  universal  Church,  as  our  peculiar  situation,  circumstances, 
and  general  benefit  of  the  Faiiliful  will  allow.  Some  matters, 
rec^uiriiig  imniediate  attention,  were  maturely  discussed,  on 
which  after  humbly  invoking  the  assistance  of  the  Divine 
Spirit,  resolutions  or  ordinaiK-^  were  made  which  in  due 
time  will  be  oominunicated  to  the  Clergy  or  laity,  as  they 
27* 


iU 


634  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

niaj  be  concerned  in  tbeni.     The  following  are  some  of 
them,  and  are  now  publislied  for  general  information. 

"  First.  Pastors  of  the  different  Churches,  or  they  who  in 
their  absence  are  intruated  with  the  care  of  the  churches 
chalices,  and  sacred  vestments  are  not  to  permit  any  strange 
and  unknown  Priests  to  exercise  priestly  functions,  belore 
they  have  exhibited  authentic  proofs  of  their  having  obtained 
the  Bishop's  j)ermi88ion. 

"  2.  Conformably  to  the  Spirit  of  the  Church,  and  its  gen- 
eral practice,  the  Sacrament  of  Baptism  shall  be  administered 
m  the  Church  only  in  all  towns,  in  which  churches  are  erected, 
excepting  only  cases  of  necessity. 

'i.3.  Some  difficulties  having  occurred  in  making  immedi- 
ately a  general  rule  for  the  celebration  of  all  n.arriages  in  the 
Church,  as  a  practice  most  conformable  to  general  and  Catho- 
lic .liscipline ;  it  was  thought  pre.nature  now  to  publish  an 
ordinance  to  that  effect ;  yet  ail  pastors  are  directed  to  recom- 
mend this  religious  usage  universidly,  wherever  it  is  not  at- 
tended with  very  great  inconvenience,  and  prepare  the  nn'nd 
of  their  flocks  for  its  adoption,  in  a  short  time. 

"  4.  The  Pastors  of  the  Faithful  are  earnestly  directed  to 
discounige  more  and  more  from  the  pulpit,  and  in  their  pub- 
lic and  private  conferences  an  attachment  to  entertainments 
and  diversions  of  dangerous  tendency  to  morality  ;  snch  as  to 
frecpient  the  theatres,  and  cherish  a  fondness  for  dancing  as- 
semblies. They  must  likewise  often  warn  their  congregations 
against  the  reading  of  books  dangerous  to  faith  and  manners, 
and  especially  a  i)romiscuous  reading  of  all  kinds  of  novels! 
The  faitlifnl  themselves  should  always  remember  the  severity 
with  which  the  (Imrch,  guided  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  constant- 
ly i)rohibited  writJTigs  calculated  to  dimim'sh  the  respect  due 
to  our  holy  religion. 

"  5th.  Tile  Archbishop  and  Bishops  enjoined  on  all  Priests 


LETTER  TO   THE  IRISH  BISHOPS. 


635 


exercising,  in  their  respective  Dioceses,  faculties  for  tlie  ad- 
ministration of  the  Sacraments,  not  to  admit  to  thiKse  of  pen- 
ance and  the  B''  Eucharist  such  persons,  as  are  known  to  be- 
long to  the  association,  commonly  called  of  Freemasons  unless 
these  persons  seriously  promis.  to  abstain  for  ever  after  from 
going  to  their  lodges,  and  professing  themselves  to  belong  to 
their  society  :  and  Pastors  of  Congregations  shall  frequently 
recommend  to  all  under  their  care  never  to  join  with  or  be- 
come members  of  the  said  fraternity. 

"  ►!«  J.,  Abp.  of  B" 

"  •!•  Leonakd,  B"  of  Goi-tyna,  Coadjutor  of  B'", 
"  ^  Michael,  B"  of  Philad", 
"  "J*  John,  Bis"  of  Boston, 
"  »I<  HENKmcT  Joseph,  B''  of  Bardstown. 
"  BALT''^  Nov'  15,  1810." 


The  Archbishop  and  Bishops  also  on  the  11th  of  Novem- 
ber replied  to  a  letter  of  the  Irish  hierarchy  in  regard  to  the 
position  of  the  Head  of  the  Church.  They  professed  their 
submission  to  his  admonitions  even  in  capti'  iiv,  and  their 
resolve  to  obey  every  order  emanating  from  hm.  ,  ong  as 
they  were  certified  that  he  acted  in  full  liberty,  ilnd  in 
case  the  Holy  Father  should  die  in  captivity,  they  would  in- 
struct their  flocks  "to  acknowledge  no  person  as  the  true 
and  genuine  successor  of  Peter,  but  him  whom  the  far  greater 
part  of  the  bishops  of  the  whole  world  and  the  whole  Catho- 
lic ])eople,  in  a  manner,  shall  acknowledge  as  such." 

The  newly  formed  hierarchy  of  the  United  States  felt 
called  upon  to  reply.  As  Archbishop  Carroll  wrote  to  a 
friend :  "  To  answer  it  was  incumbent  on  us ;  l)ut  on  ac- 
count (»f  the  infancy  of  our  hierarchy,  we  felt  a  diffidence. 


''ii 


636 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Yet  we  did  answer,  and  I  hear  that  our  answer  was  published 
in  England  and  Ireland,  which  was  not  foreseen  here.  We 
were  more  reserved,  as  you  may  have  observed,  than  our 
Irish  brethren,  not  daring  to  anticipate  the  specific  course  to 
be  pursued  hereafter  in  the  future  contingency  to  the  church, 
humbly  trusting  to  the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  if  those 
contingencies  should  eusue,  to  the  examples  given  us  by  the 
more  ancient  churches,  and  fortifying  us  by  the  promises  of 
Christ  that  the  powers  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  that 
Church  which  he  acquired  with  his  blood." ' 

Archbishoi)  Carroll  and  his  suffragans  resolved  to  attempt 
to  hold  direct  intercourse  with  the  Sovereign  Pontiff.  The 
care  taken  to  effect  this  proved  unavailing,  and  in  view  of 
his  confinement  for  years,  disorders  of  great  magnitude  were 
apprehended. 

At  last,  however,  a  memorial  in  the  name  of  the  Arch- 
bishop  and  his  siiffragsins  with  a  letter  from  Dr.  Carroll,  with 
Tuuch  industry  was  conveyed  to  the  hands  of  Pope  Pius' VII. 
TJie  object  was  to  obtain  his  direction  as  to  several  matters 
in  die  government  of  their  dioceses;  to  ascertain  some  prac- 
ticable means  of  tilling  up  vacancies  that  might  occur,  and  to 
provide  for  the  vacancies  of  New  York  and  Louisiana ;  but 
a  stricter  and  closer  confinement  of  the  venerable  Head  of 
the  Church  prevented  his  sending  anv  replv.' 

Before  the  consecration  of  the  new  Bishops,  Archbishop 
Carroll  had  prudently  addressed  the  trustees  of  the  princii)al 
churches  in  the  recently  erected  dioceses,  explaining  the  regu- 
lation of  the  Holy  See,  requiring  that  an  income  for  the 
Bishop  in  each  of  the  newly  erected  sees  should  be  per- 
manently pledged  by  the  churches  in  the  Episcopal  city. 


Archbishop  Carroll  to  Father  C.  Ph)wilen,  .Tumiary  27,  1812. 
Archbishop  Carroll  to  Bishop  of  Quebec,  March  2,  1814. 


>*  /ivM 


SUPPORT  OF  BISHOPS. 


637 


As  many  difficulties  subsequently  arose  in  Philadelphia, 
notwithstanding  these  prudent  precautions,  it  will  be  well  to 
give  at  length  the  correspondence  between  Archbishop  Car- 
roll and  the  Philadelphia  churches  on  this  occasion. 

The  trustees  of  St.  Mary's  church,  and  Holy  Trinity,  us 
well  as  the  Augustinian  Fathers,  agreed  to  contribute  to  the 
expenses  of  Bishop  Egan's  consecration,  and  also  for  his 
future  maintenance  and  that  of  his  successors  in  office. 

The  correspondence  was  as  follows : 

"  Messrs.  The  Trustees  of  the  several  Catholic  Church- 
es IN  Philadelphia  : 

"Immediately  after  receiving  notice  of  the  propitious 
event  of  a  Bishop's  See  being  erected  at  Philadelphia,  and 
the  appointment,  by  the  Holy  See,  of  the  Right  ReV'  D' 
Egaii  to  fill  the  Episcopal  Chair,  I  desired  it  to  be  made 
known  to  you  that  it  was  now  indispensibly  necessary  to 
make  provision,  as  well  for  the  first  expenses,  of  the  conse- 
cration and  installation  of  the  new  Prelate,  as  for  his  perma- 
nent support.  After  more  reflection,  it  appeared  ex])edient 
and  necessary  to  address  directly  to  you,  gentlemen,  a  more 
particular  recommendation  on  this  subject.  The  established 
usage  of  the  Holy  See,  when  new  Bishoprics  are  instituted, 
is  to  require  solid  assurances,  that  the  Bishops  appointed  for 
the  purposes  of  preserving  the  integrity  of  faith,  the  purity 
of  morals,  and  perpetuity  of  the  ministry,  as  well  as  vheir 
successors,  shall  be  above  all  inducements,  arising  out  of  the 
narrowness  of  their  circumstances,  to  relax  in  their  attention 
to  those  most  essential  duties  of  their  charge,  and  conse- 
quently that  their  income,  whatever  it  may  be,  shall  be  inde- 
pendent of  the  fluctuations  of  favor  or  public  opinion  ;  they 
must  be  free  from  the  apprehension  of  being  deprived  of 


638 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


,1  <, 


their  means  of  support,  if  they  pursue  the  measures  dictated 
by  their  conscieuees  for  the  maintenance  vt  sound  discipline 
and  discouragement  of  vice.  As  far,  then,  as  your  influence, 
on  which,  as  well  as  on  your  zeal,  much  trust  may  be  placed, 
can  effect  it,  the  settlement  of  your  Bishop's  income  will  be 
placed  on  a  footing  suitable  and  honorable  to  his  station,  and 
not  controllable  by  the  interference  of  those  over  M-hose 
highest  interest  Divine  Providence  has  appointed  him  to 
preside. 

"  This  is  perhaps  the  last  act  of  that  pastoral  care  which 
it  has  been  long  mj  duty  to  exercise  in  b'-'ialf  of  my  dear 
children  in  your  State,  my  conscience  reproaches  me  often, 
and  ever  will  reproach  me,  for  many  omissions  and  crors  in 
the  execution  of  that  awful  ministry.  Allow  me  to  pray  you 
and  all  the  congregations,  through  the  charity  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  to  sue  to  the  Father  of  mercies  for  the  grace  of 
my  forgiveness ;  and  that  the  remaining  days  of  my  life  may 
be  employed  in  repairing  the  evils,  M'hich  can  yet  be  remedied. 
Assure  yourselves,  that  though  my  former  connections  with 
you  are  soon  to  be  dissolved,  still  my  heart  is  and  always  will 
be  united  with  y(»u ;  and  that  I  shall  not  cease  to  implore  for 
you  the  protection  of  Providencv.  i,<(  the  diffusion  of  our 
Holy  Religion  throughout  the  Dioctvje,  of  which  Philadel- 
phia forms  so  distinguished  a  }iA':i. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  respect, 

and  the  solicitude  of  an  affectionate  Pastor, 

Messieurs, 
"  Your  most  devoted  and  obedient  servant, 
and  Father  in  Christ, 

"  •!•  John, 
"  Bishop  of  Baltimore. 
"Baltimore,  October  20th,  1808." 


tPj 


SUPPORT  OF  BISHOPS. 


689 


"At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  of  Holy  T     lity  Cli  Tch, 

S'  Mary's,  and  the  ReV'  M'   Hurl.-y  from  S   August.       ', 

:  the  bouse  of  the  Rev''  M'-  Britt,  for  the  ]    -pose  of  cun- 

iida     7  the  necessary  allowaiv  .•  to  be  made  to  the  Right 

Rev"  .     Ega..,  as  Bishop  of  Philadelphia, 

"Resolved,  In  the  opinion  of  the  gentlt.aen  p>  sent,  that 
eight  hundred  dollars,  per  annum,  liould  be  allowed  to  him, 
from  the  different  con^  egations  of  this  city,  as  Bishop. 

"Resohed,  That  the  same  be  p..  M  in  the  following  pro- 
portii^ns,  viz. . 


8'    Mary's, 
Holy  Trinity, 
S'  Augustine, 


$4U0  per  annum. 
§200  per  annum. 
$200  per  annum. 


"The  sa.  ft  to  commence  the  1st  da\  of  January  next,  pay- 
able quart( , .  d  i-  Jvance,  the  expensos  incidental  t(.  his 
consecration  and  in-iallation,  to  be  paid  '  like  manner. 

Adam  Britt,  Paste  ioly  Trinity. 

Michael  Hurley, 
"James  Oellers, 
"John  Ashley, 
"  Charles  Johnson, 
"Adam  Premir, 
"  Joseph  Snyder. 
"  Philadelphia,  1st  November,  1S08."' ' 

By  the  division  of  the  original  diocese  of  Baltimore  and 
the  erection  of  new  sees,  the  portion  of  the  country  which 
remained  subject  to  the  jurisdiot!  n  of  Archbishop  Carroll 
comi)rised  Maryland,  Virginia,  the  District  of  Columbia,  tiie 
Carolinas,  Georgia  with  its  western  territory  now  embraced 


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640 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL, 


in  the  States  of  Alabama  and  Mississippi.  He  bad  requested 
that  the  portion  lying  on  the  Mississippi  River  should  bo 
placed  under  the  supervision  of  the  Bishop  to  be  stationed 
at  New  Orleans,  who  could  easily  communicate  with  it. 
Bishop  Concanen  wrote  to  him  from  Kome  that  it  was  the 
intention  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  to  detach  part  of  the 
actual  diocese  of  Baltimore,  but  the  project  was  not  then 
carried  out,  and  the  States  just  named  remained  under  the 
supervision  of  Archbishop  Carroll  to  his  death. 

Before  the  consecration  of  his  suffragans  and  their  installa- 
tion in  their  several  sees,  there  were,  so  far  as  we  can  esti- 
mate, about  seventy  priests  and  eighty  churches  in  the  United 
States.' 

Besides  the  diocese  of  Baltimore  as  reduced  by  the  recent 
division,  Archbishop  Carroll  was  still  burthened  with  the 
administration  of  the  extensive  diocese  of  Louisiana  and  the 
Floridas.  In  the  portion  still  subject  to  Spain,  the  Bishop 
of  Havana  had  resumed  the  authority  exercised  by  him  pre- 
vious to  1703,  and  in  the  rest  Archbishop  Carroll  found  the 
Vicar-General  appointed  by  him  able  to  effect  little  good,  his 
authority  being  openly  defied  by  Father  Anthony  Sedella 
and  men  of  his  stamp.  He  wrote  to  the  Sovereign  Pontiff 
in  December,  1810,  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Nerinckx  absolutely 
declined  to  undertake  the  difficult  duty  of  restoring  order  in 
that  unha]>py  diocese  as  Administrator-Apostolic,  and  that 
Rev.  Mr.  Olivier  was  from  age  and  infirmity  not  able  to  un- 
dertake it.'  He  had  cast  his  eye  on  one  whom  he  deemed 
fitted.  This  was  the  Rev.  William  Dn  Bourg,  a  brilliant, 
able,  and  energetic  man,  who  a«  President  of  Georgetown 
College,  and  founder  and  President  of  St.  Mary's  College, 


'  Rev.  Dr.  White,  "  Life  of  E.  A.  Seton,"  p.  491  iind  notes. 
•  Arclibishop  Curroil  to  Pivis  VII.,  DecenilJer  17, 1810. 


LOUISIANA. 


641 


Baltimore,  had  shown  ability,  judgment,  theological  ability, 
and  skill  in  temporal  aflfairs.     His  presence  was  needed  in- 
deed at  Baltimore,  where  the  college  was  struggling  with  a 
heavy  debt,  and  this  alone  seems  to  have  delayed  the  action 
of  Archbishop  Carroll,  who  in   1810  sent  the   Rev.  Mr. 
Sibourd  to  Louisiana.     That  clergyman  reached  New  Or- 
leans from  France  on  the  29th  of  December,  1810,  with 
two  Ursuline  nuns  for  the  convent  there,  the  Conmmnity 
needing  help,  as  their  academy  was  prospering  with  sixty- 
three  boarders  and  many  day-scholars,  and  their  asylum  con- 
tained thii-ty  orphans.'     Rev.  Mr.  Sibourd  endeavored  to 
collect  the  English-speaking  Catholics  at  the  Ursuline  chapel, 
but  at  first  he  found  few  who  cared  to  profit  by  his  ministry 
or  approach  the  sacraments,  only  one  coming  to  perform  his 
Easter  duty.     His  sermons  at  the  chapel  on  Sundays,  and  his 
care  in  preparing  candidates  for  first  communion,  which 
twelve  received  on  Low  Sunday,  produced  a  good  effect. 
Father  Sedella  and  his  unworthy  assistants  were  also  com- 
pelled to  preach,  and  to  make  some  show  of  discharging  the 
duties  of  the  ministry." 

By  the  erection  of  the  Sees  of  Boston,  New  York,  and 
Bardstown,  Archbishop  Carroll's  diocese  ceased  to  border  on 
that  of  Quebec.  He  ac  oidingly  wrote  in  March,  1811,  to 
Bishop  Plesdis  in  regard  to  the  matter,  asking  him  to  con- 
tinue in  the  new  dioceses  the  charitable  services  on  the  fron- 
tiers which  he  and  his  predecessors,  Bishops  Hubert  and 
Denaut,  had  performed,  by  allowing  their  i)riests  to  attend 
Catholics  in  the  United  States  near  the  boundary,  and  by 
themselves  administerhig  the  sacrament  of  confirmation. 
Bishop   Plessis   accordingly   made   Bishops   Cheverus   and 


'  Rev.  L.  Sibourd  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  March  22, 1811. 
'  Same  to  same,  June  12, 1811. 


'i 


■  ti 


'i 


'i- 


'  II 

i    fi 


642 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Flaget,  and  Father  Anthony  Kohhnann  his  Vicars-General 
and  they  in  turn  made  Bishop  Plessis  Vicar-General  in  the 
dioceses  of  Boston,  New  York,  and  Bardstown.' 

Bishops  Cheverus,  Egan,  and  Flaget,  and  Father  Kohlmann 
in  organizing  the  dioceses  under  their  care,  constantly  ap- 
pealed to  the  Archhishop  for  direction  and  advice,  and  New- 
York  depended  on  Bishop  Cheverus  for  all  episcopal  acts, 
although  the  diocese  was  not  actually  under  his  care  as  Dr. 
Carroll  had  solicited  the  Holy  See  to  place  it. 

In  his  own  diocese  of  Baltimore,  Archbishop  Carroll  was 
consoled  by  seeing  the  peaceful  progress  of  religion.  Eni- 
mittsburg  became  a  centre  of  Catholic  life  and  activity.  It 
had  been  a  mission  attended  from  Frederick  fi-om  an  early 
period,  a  chapel  in  the  house  of  the  Elder  family  having  been 
the  constant  place  of  worship.  The  Rev.  John  Du  Bois, 
after  attending  it  for  several  years,  resolved  to  build  a 
church  for  the  faithful  whose  numbers  had  increased.  Near 
by  was  a  log-house  which  he  purchased  with  a  piece  of  land. 
It  was  an  humble  beginning,  but  destined  to  become  the  cra- 
dle of  two  great  institutions,  one  training  young  men  in  tlie 
faith  and  fitting  them  for  the  world,  while  it  sent  zealous 
priests  to  all  parts  of  the  country ;  the  other  the  Mother 
House  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity,  who  at  this  mountain 
home  became  accomplished  teachers  of  rich  and  poor,  moth- 
ers to  the  orphan,  comforters  of  the  sick  and  afflicted. 

The  modest  mountain  church  was  visited  in  the  autunm  of 
1808  by  Bi-shop  Carroll,  who  administered  confirmation  on 


'  A  priest  at  Detroit,  Niajjnra,  or  the  Passnmaquoddy  rouUl  tliiis 
tinder  powers  piven  him  validly  exereise  tlie  ministry  when  noressary 
on  Britisli  soil.  In  the  ease  of  New  Yorlt  it  is  curious  to  find  it  .Icsitii 
Fatlier  (Kolilmann)  appointing  a  Bishop  his  Vicar-General.  Archbishop 
Carroll  to  Bishop  Plessis,  March  13,  1811.  Archives  of  Archbishop  of 
Quebec. 


MOUNT  ST.  MARY'S  COLLEGE. 


643 


the  20th  of  October,  and  who,  we  may  feel  assured,  en- 
couraged  the  hopes  of  the  zealous  priest. 

When  Kev.  Mr.  Du  Bois,  who  had  long  wished  to  establish 
a  school  near  his  church,  proposed  to  Rev.  Mr,  Kagot  to  re- 
move the  establishment  then  at  Pigeon  Hills,  Pa.,  Rev.  Mr. 
Du  Bourg,  with  some  other  Sulpitians,  visited  the  mountain, 
and  a  tract  of  five  hundred  acres  was  acquired  from  a  lady, 
payment  being  made  by  an  annuity.  About  Easter,  1809, 
sixteen  young  men  arrived  from  Pigeon  Hills.  A  brick 
house  intended  at  one  time  for  a  church  became  the  "  Petit 
Seminaire," '  Rev.  Mr.  Du  Bois  with  the  teachers  and  some 
pupils  residing  in  the  log-house.  Work  was  ut  once  com- 
menced on  two  rows  of  log  buildings,  which  were  to  be  the 
future  college.  Rev.  Mr.  Du  Bois  at  lirst  proposed  placing 
them  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  in  front  of  the  church,  but  by 
the  advice  of  Rev.  Mr.  Du  Bourg  adopted  a  more  sheltered 
site  at  the  base  of  the  hill  near  a  beautiful  spring. 

Such  was  the  commencement  of  Mount  Saint  M.ry's  Col- 
lege, which  seemed  to  enter  at  once  on  a  career  of  prosperity, 
though  tlie  founder  was  utterly  destitute  of  means.  Rev. 
Mr.  Duhamel  soon  joined  him  from  Hagerstown  and  relieved 
him  of  the  parochial  work.  In  1810  the  college  had  forty 
pupils,  and  three  years  after  double  that  number,  exclusively 
Catholic. 

When  his  log  buildings  were  ready,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Du  Bois 
gave  his  log-house  temporarily  to  Mrs.  Seton  and  L^r  Sisters, 
so  that  it  was  also  the  cradle  of  her  community.  On  Sun- 
days and  holidays  the  pupils  of  both  establishments  pro- 
ceeded to  the  church,  a  distance  of  some  two  miles  from  the 
college,  the  Sisters  of  Charity  conducting  the  choir.' 


'  This  buildiiitr  was  on  a  piece  of  land  convoyed  to  Bishop  Carroll  Oc- 
tober 24,  1793,  by  Mr.  Alexius  Elder,     Note  of  Archbishop  Marechal. 
«  "  U.  8.  Catholic  Magazine,"  v.,  p.  36. 


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(644) 


•1 
Che 


MRS.  SETON  IN  BALTIMORE. 


646 


Mrs.  Elizabeth  A.  Seton,  after  her  reception  into  the 
Church  at  New  York,  opened  a  little  school :  but  the  aliena- 
tion of  her  early  friends,  and  the  condition  of  Catholic  affairs 
there  at  that  time,  made  her  struggle  so  hard  that  she  thought 
of  withdrawing  to  Canada.  Dr.  Matignon  and  Rev.  Mr, 
Cheverus,  of  Boston,  and  the  Rev.  J.  S.  Tisserant,  a  French 
priest  at  Elizabeth,  N.  J.,  were,  however,  her  friends  and 
guides,  and  they  soon  learned  to  believe  that  God  called  her 
to  special  work  in  this  country.  In  May,  1808,  the  Rev. 
William  Du  Bourg  urged  her  to  proceed  to  Baltimore  in  or- 
der to  open  a  school  in  a  house  near  the  seminary.  This  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Cheverus  warmly  recommended  :  ''  Such  an  estab- 
lishment would  be  a  public  benefit  to  religion,  and  we  hope, 
a  real  advantage  to  yourself  and  amiable  family.  We  infi- 
nitely prefer  it  to  your  project  of  a  retreat  in  Montreal." 
She  accordingly  spiled  from  New  York  with  her  daughters 
in  a  Baltimore  packet  on  the  9th  of  June,  and  took  up  her 
residence  in  a  house  still  standing  in  Paca  Street  near  the 
Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice.  Here  her  heart  expanded  with 
holy  joy.  Near  a  chapel  where  she  could  hear  mass  every 
day  froir.  daylight  to  eight  o'clock,  and  attend  Vespers  and 
Benediction  every  evening,  her  happiness  was  complete. 
Her  first  scholars  were  nieces  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Du  Bourg. 
Others  soon  came.  Miss  Cecilia  O'Conway  became  her  as- 
sistant and  other  ladies  were  soon  ready  to  join  her,  desirous 
of  their  own  spiritual  advancement  and  of  serving  the  poor.* 
The  next  year  it  was  deemed  best  to  give  them  a  habit,  con- 
sisting of  a  plain  black  gown  and  cap,  with  plaited  border 
and  a  rosary  hanging  from  the  girdle.  Mrs.  Seton  took  the 
three  simple  vows  of  religion,  in  the  hands  of  Bishop  Carroll 


I  1' 

H'ti 

•A 

■III 

u 


\ 


r*; 


'  Rev.  Wm.  Du  Bourg  to  Mrs.  E.  A.  Seton,  May  2,  1808 ;  Rev.  J. 
Cheverus  to  same,  May  12,  1808. 


nOnSB   ON    PACA  STUEET,  BALTIMOHE,  WHEUB    MH8.    BETON  FOUNDED 
HEK  COMMUNITY. 


(646) 


MRS.  SETON  AT  EMMJTTSBURG. 


647 


on  her  knees  before  a  crucifix,  to  be  binding  for  one  year's 
time  only,  but  to  be  renewed  at  stated  periods,  if  she  sliould 
60  wish  to  engage  herself. 

A  gentleman  named  Cooper,  a  convert  like  herself,  about 
this  time  projected  a  manufactory  for  the  use  of  the  poor 
and  purchased  some  property  at  Emmittsburg,  in  Frederick 
County,  Maijland.  The  education  of  children  rich  and  poor 
was  part  of  his  plan,  and  he  invited  Mrs.  Seton  to  take  charge 
of  that  department.  Accordingly  in  May,  1809,  Mrs.  Seton 
with  her  daughter,  two  sisters  of  her  late  husband  and  one  of 
the  ladies  who  had  joined  her,  proceeded  to  Emmittsburg. 
Finding  the  building  on  Mr.  Cooper's  property  as  yet  untit 
for  tliem,  they  took  up  their  residence  in  a  log-hut  erected  ou 
the  side  of  the  mountain  below  St.  Mary's  church,  by  Rev. 
John  Du  Bois.     Those  left  in  Baltimore  soon  joined  them. 

On  the  20th  of  February,  1810,  the  Sisters  left  their  tem- 
porary home  to  take  possession  of  the  log  structure  erected 
on  their  own  property,  and  which  has  ever  since  been  the 
site  of  St.  Joseph's  Academy.  It  was  a  small  two-story 
building  with  a  high  porch  in  front,  standing  in  the  valley 
between  the  mountain  and  the  village.  The  house  was 
blessed  by  Rev.  Mr.  Du  Bois,  and  the  Community  placed 
under  the  special  patronage  of  St.  Joseph.' 

The  Sisterhood  thus  formed  and  consisting  of  ten  mem- 
bers began  at  once  to  teach  poor  children,  to  visit  the  sick, 
and  before  long  opened  a  boarding-school  for  girls.  In  Octo- 
ber, 1809,  Bishop  Carroll  visited  the  new  and  interesting  es- 
tablishment which  augured  so  much  good  to  the  Church. 
The  next  year  Bishop  Flaget,  returning  from  Europe  to  be 


'  Seton,  "Memoir,  Letters,  and  .lournal,"  ii.,  pp.  14-52.  The  view 
of  St.  Josepli's  is  from  a  pioce  of  needlework  preserved  by  the  Sisters 
of  Charity  at  Haverstraw,  N.  Y.,  to  whose  kindness  I  am  indebted  for 
its  use. 


1 


m 


'J! 


648 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


consecrated,  brought  a  copy  of  the  "Constitutions  and  Rules 
of  the  Sisters  of  Charity"  (FiUes  de  la  Charity)  founded  by 
St.  Vincent  de  Paul.  These  were  made  the  basis  of  regala- 
tions  which  were  prepared  by  some  of  the  Sulpitians  for  Mrs. 
Seton's  Community.  There  were,  however,  points  which 
did  not  receive  Archbishop  Carroll's  approval,  and  these 
were  after  serious  deliberation  altered  by  them.  He  also 
made  it  distinctly  understood  that  they  were  not  to  be  in 
matter  of  spiritual  or  temporal  direction  subject  to  the  Com- 
munity of  St.  Sulpice  at  Baltimore,  though  their  Director 
might  be  of  that  body  and  the  Superior  at  Baltimore  might 

PAC-8IMILK  OF  BIONATCRE  OP  B.    A.   8ET0N. 

individually  on  rare  and  uncommon  occasions  exercise  some 
powers.  "  I  am  exceedingly  anxious,"  he  wrote,  "  that  every 
allowance  shall  be  made,  not  only  to  the  Sisters  generally, 
but  to  each  one  in  particular,  which  can  serve  to  give  quiet 
to  their  consciences,  provided  that  this  be  done  without  en- 
dangering the  harmony  of  the  community ;  and  therefore  it 
must  become  a  matter  of  regulation."  .  ..."  It  has  been 
my  endeavor  when  I  read  the  constitutions,  to  consult,  in  the 
first  place,  the  individual  happiness  of  your  dear  Sisters,  and 
consequently  your  own ;  2ndly,  to  render  their  plan  of  life 
useful  to  religion  and  to  the  public ;  3dly,  to  confine  the  ad- 
ministration of  your  own  affairs,  and  the  internal  and  domes- 
tic government,  as  much  as  possible  to  your  own  institutions 
once  adopted,  and  within  your  own  walls."  "  I  shall  con- 
gratulate you  and  your  beloved  Sisters  when  the  Constitution 
is  adopted.  It  will  be  like  freeing  you  from  a  state  in  which 
it  was  difficult  to  walk  straight,  as  you  had  no  certain  way  in 


ST.  JOSEPH'S  ACADEMY. 


649 


which  to  proceed.  In  the  meantime  assure  yourself  and 
them  of  my  utmost  solicitude  for  your  advancement  in  the 
service  and  favor  of  God  ;  of  my  rehance  on  your  prayers ; 
of  mine  for  your  prosperity  in  the  important  duty  of  educa- 
tion, which  will  and  must  long  be  your  principal,  and  will 
always  be  your  partial,  employment.  A  century  at  least  will 
pass  before  the  exigencies  and  habits  of  this  country  will  re- 
quire and  hardly  admit  of  the  charitable  exercises  towards 
the  sick,  sufficient  to  employ  any  number  of  Sisters  out  of 
our  largest  cities ;  and  therefore  they  must  consider  the  busi- 
ness of  education  as  a  laborious,  charitable,  and  permanent 
object  of  their  religious  duty."  Modified  as  he  suggested, 
the  rule  received  his  approval  in  1812,^  and  was  adopted  by 
the  Community  at  Emmittsburg.  At  the  first  election  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  A.  Seton  was  chosen  Mother  Superior,  and  was 
periodically  re-elected  as  long  as  she  lived.  The  Rev.  John 
Du  Bois  was  appointed  Superior-General  of  the  Sisters. 

Thus,  by  the  providence  of  God,  a  lady,  born  and  reared 
in  affluence,  amid  a  purely  Protestant  social  circle,  became, 
after  being  tried  in  the  furnace  of  poverty.  Buffering,  and 
worldly  coldness,  the  foundress  of  a  Community  which  has 
to  this  day,  imbued  with  her  spirit,  carried  out  her  plans  of 
works  of  mercy." 


'  "  I  have  read  and  endeavored  before  God  attentively  to  consider  the 
Constitutions  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity  submitted  to  me  by  the  Rev.  Su- 
perior of  the  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpitius,  and  I  have  approved  of  the  same, 
believing  them  to  be  inspired  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  suitable  to  con- 
duct the  Sisters  to  religious  perfection. 

"  4«  John  Archbishop  of  Baltimore. 

"  BALTiMonB,  Janaory  17, 181J." 

'  White,  "  Life  of  Mrs.  Eliza  A.  Seton,  foundress  and  first  Superior 
of  the  Sisters  or  Daughters  of  Charity  in  the  United  States,"  New  York, 
1853;  Baltimore,  1856;  Paris,  1857.  Seton,  "Memoir,  Letters,  and 
Journal  of  Elizabeth  Seton,"  3  vols.,  New  York,  1869 ;  Mme.  de  Barberey, 
••  Elizabeth  Seton,"  Paris,  1868. 
28 


\ 


WEST  INDIA  JURISDICTION. 


651 


Mother  Seton  received  in  November,  1810,  a  visit  from 
Bishop  Cheverus  of  Boston  and  Bishop  Egan  of  Philadelphia, 
who  had  recently  been  coneecrated  in  Baltimore.  Though 
Dr.  Cheverus  had  long  been  the  friend,  correspondent,  and 
wise  counsellor  of  Mother  Seton,  they  had  never  met  till  this 
occasion  when  he  behold  her  with  her  spiritual  children  and 
her  academy  daily  increasing  in  numbers  and  credit. 

The  Sovereign  Pontiff  added  to  Dr.  Carroll's  burthens  in 
1811  by  investing  him  with  ordinary  jurisdiction  over  tlh^ 
Danish  islands  of  Santa  Craz,  St.  Thomas  and  St.  John,  the 
Dutch  island  of  St.  Eustatia  as  well  as  Barbuda,  St.  Kitts 
and  Antigua,  with  authority  to  appoint  two  prefects,  one  for 
the  Danish  and  one  for  the  other  islands,  and  to  invest  them 
with  the  power  of  administering  confirmation.  lie  was  nat- 
urally alarmed  at  this  new  resjwnsibility,  but  as  letters  had 
reached  him  in  regard  to  the  condition  of  affairs  there,  he 
was  aware  that  good  priests  had  been  innocently  exercising 
the  ministry  under  jurisdiction  not  recognized  at  Kome  as 
competent.  Archbishop  Carroll,  seeing  that  there  was  danger 
in  delay,  accordingly  appointed  the  Rev.  Henry  Kendall 
Prefect  and  Rev.  Mr.  Herard  Yice-Prefect,  that  the  faithful 
in  the  Danish  isles  might  enjoy  the  exercises  of  the  ministry  ; 
and  he  endeavored  to  ascertain  the  state  of  rehgion  in  the 
other  islands  confided  to  his  care.' 

In  Charleston  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gallagher,  who  had  lo.ig  ijsod 
the  trustees  or  vestry  to  maintain  his  position  against  his 
bishop,  found  them  ready  to  carry  their  usurpation  further 
by  excluding  him  from  the  meetings  of  the  Board.  Arch- 
bishop CaiToll,  to  check  this  spirit,  addressed  the  trustees, 
showing  them  that  by  the  unifonn  rule  of  the  diocese  the 
clergy  of  the  church  were,  in  all  cases,  members  of  the 


'  Archbishop  Carroll  to  Robert  Tuite,  of  St.  Croix. 


Vk 


>iiia 


652 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Board  of  Trustees,  and  the  pastor  the  presiding  officer  He 
assured  them  that  if  they  drove  out  their  present  priee't  they 
would  put  him  under  the  necessity  of  withholding  his  appro^ 
bation  and  the  faculties  necessary  for  the  lawful  exercise  of 
the  sacred  ministry  from  any  priest  whom  they  attempted  to 
set  in  his  place.' 

In  October  the  Sulpitians  received  intelligence  of  the  death 
of  their  Superior,  Kev.  Mr.  Emery,  and  Archbishop  Carroll 
took  part  in  the  solemn  service  offered  in  Baltimore  for  the 
repose  of  his  soul,  feeling  deeply  how  much,  under  Provi- 
dence, his  diocese  owed  to  the  congregation  over  which  Rev. 
Mr.  Emery  presided. 

About  the  same  time  some  debated  questions  greatly 
divided  the  Vicars-Apostolic  of  England,  and  both  parties 
sought  to  place  their  views  in  the  most  favorable  light  before 
the  Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  a  letter  from  Bisliop  Milner 
being  followed  by  one  from  the  other  Vicars-Apostolic  of 
England.' 

The  gubjects  were  fortunately  not  such  as  affected  the 
Church  in  the  United  States.  In  England  Blauchard  and 
other  French  priests  denounced  Pius  VII.  as  having  be- 
trayed the  Church  in  his  concordat  with  Napoleon.  The 
English  Vicars-Apostolic  in  general  had  not  repressed  these 
relHillious  men  as  decidedly  as  the  Irish  Bishops  and  Dr. 
Milner  had  done,  and  in  the  hope  of  obtaining  from  the 
English  government  the  emancipation  of  Catholics  had 
signed  a  resolution  which  virtually  conceded  to  the  British 
government  a  control  over  the  appointment  of  the  Catholic 

'  Archbishop  Carroll  to  the  Vestry  of  Cbarlcston,  Septimber  15  l&ll  ■ 
"U.  8.  Crttholic  Miscellany,"  ii.,  p.  24. 

'  Right  Rev.  John  Bliliu-r  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  May  4,  1811 ;  Right 
Rev.  William  Gibson,  etc.,  to  same,  November  27,  1811  ;  Archbishop 
Troy  to  same,  March  1, 1811. 


HE  RECEIVES  THE  PALLIUM. 


653 


bishope  in  England.    Against  any  such  concession,  Biphop 
Milner  and  the  Irish  Bishops  protested. 

In  the  United  States  there  was  no  sympathy  among  French 
priests  for  the  rebellious  clergymen  in  England,  and  our 
Constitutions  made  State  interference  with  the  appointment 
of  bishops  highly  improbable,  although  before  the  death  of 
Archbishop  Carroll  the  Holy  See  took  a  step  which  might 
have  provoked  from  our  own  government  peremptory  and 
severe  measures. 

Archbishop  Carroll  cautiously  refrained  from  taking  part 
in  the  discussions  in  the  British  Isles,  and  while  he  con- 
demned all  weakness  in  dealing  with  any  disregard  of  the 
authority  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff,  he  forbore  to  express  any 
opinion  as  to  the  steps  to  be  taken  to  rt  /e  from  the  minds 
of  English  statesmen  all  idea  of  any  disloyalty  of  the  Cath- 
olic bishops. 

On  the  18th  of  August  Dr.  Carroll,  who  had  hitherto 
been  Archbishop-elect,  was  invested  with  the  pallium,  which 
was  at  last  brought  to  Baltimore  by  the  British  Minister  to 
the  United  States.  The  ceremony  was  performed  with  all 
due  solemnity  by  Bishop  Neale,  on  the  18th  of  August,  in 
his  pro-cathedral.  The  joy  felt  by  the  clergy  and  faithful 
of  his  city  and  diocese  at  this  crowning  ceremony  of  his  pro- 
motion to  the  rank  of  metropolitan,  found  an  echo  through- 
out the  country,  which  was  expressed  by  Bishop  Cheverus 
when  he  wrote :  "  That  you  may  for  many  years  wear  this 
vesture  of  holiness  is  the  wish  of  all  your  children  in  Jesus 
Christ,  and  God  in  his  mercy  will,  I  hope,  hear  their  prayers 
and  prolong  the  life  of  our  beloved  and  venerable  Father."  ' 

When  Archbishop  Carroll  and  his  suffragans  separated 


111 


'.^  f\ 


'  Bishop  Cheverus  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  October  8,  1811  ;  Bishop 
Carroll  to  Father  Chas.  Plowden,  January  37, 1812  ;  Certificate  of  Bishop 
Neale  ;  Archbishop  Carroll  to  Cardinal  Pietro,  1813. 


654 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


after  their  meeting  at  Baltimore  in  1810,  it  was  agreed 
among  them  that  a  provincial  council  should  be  held  not 
later  than  the  first  of  November,  1812.  Meanwhile  Bishops 
Cheverus,  Flaget,  and  Egan  had  assumed  the  direction  of 
their  respective  dioceses,  and  questions  had  arisen  in  Ken- 
tucky and  Pennsylvania  which  Bishop  Flaget  and  Bishop 
Egan  thought  well  to  have  settled  in  a  council.  In  Ken- 
tucky Bishop  Flaget  had  visited  all  the  churches  and  stations 


INTEKIOH  OF  ST.  JOSEPH'S  CHDUCn,    rillLADELPmA 
[Prom  an  old  water-color  preserved  ibere.] 

in  the  State,  ol)taining  a  persona!  knowledge  of  the  condition 
and  wants  of  the  main  part  of  his  large  diocese.  Questions 
arose  as  to  the  tenure  of  church  property,  in  which  the 
Bisliop  and  his  Vicar-General,  Very  Rev.  Stephen  T.  Badin, 
were  far  from  entertaining  harmonious  views,  and  the  pre- 
cise,- relations  of  the  episcopate  to  regular  orders  was  to  he 
adjusted.  Bishop  Egan  had  also  made  a  visitation  of  his 
diocese,  crossing  the  mountains  and  reaching  Pittsburg.  At 
St,  Mary's  church,  which  he  had  selected  as  his  pro-cathe- 
dral, the  trustees  had  already  evinced  a  disposition  to  treat 


I 


A  PRO)-   IjED  council. 


665 


the  head  of  the  diocese  as  a  hireling  whose  maintenance  de- 
pended on  their  option.  Moreover,  he  had  found  priests, 
•  whom  he  had  placed  in  his  pro-cathedral,  refractory  and  in- 
clined to  take  part  against  him.  Investigation  led  to  the 
discovery  by  the  bishop  of  the  deed  for  the  ground  on  which 
St.  Mary*8  church  stood,  executed  to  Father  Kobert  Hardiag. 
from  whom  it  passed  by  will  to  Father  Francis  Neale,  thus 
at  the  time  the  real  owner  of  the  church  where  the  trustees 
put  forward  such  arrogant  claims. 

SIGNATTTIIE  OF  FATHER  FRANCIS  NEALE. 

As  the  Society  of  Jesus  had  not  been  openly  restored  by 
the  Sovereign  PontifiF,  Archbishop  Carroll  regarded  the  mem- 
bers in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  as  still  secular  priests. 
When  Father  Britt  was  recalled  from  Trinity  church,  Phila- 
delphia, without  the  knowledge  or  consent  of  Bishop  Egan, 
he  declined  to  give  him  faculties  till  he  obtained  the  necessary 
papers  from  the  Bishop  of  Philadelphia. 

There  were  thus  questions  to  be  discussed  in  a  council ; 
but  Bishop  Cheverus,  who  had  enjoyed  great  peace  in  his 
diocese,  and  given  much  aid  to  religion  in  the  diocese  of 
New  York,  where  Father  Kohlmann  as  Administrator  was 
making  great  progress,  considered  a  council  as  yet  premature 
and  unnecessary,  although  he  deferred  to  the  opinion  of  the 
Metropolitan  ready  to  attend.' 

The  great  and  decided  obstacle  to  holding  a  council 
was  the  impossibility  of  communicating  with  the  Sovereign 
Pontiff,  then  a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  Napoleon,  and 


'  Bishop  Cheverus  to  Archbishop  Ciirroll,  August  81,  1812.  Arch- 
bishop Corroll  wrote  in  reply  that  his  reasons  appeared  decisive.  Same 
to  same,  December  30, 1812. 


656 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


cut  off  from  all  intercourse  with  the  bishops  throughout  the 
world." 

In  September  Archbishop  Carroll  wrote  to  Bishop  Flaget 
informing  him  that  the  projected  council  had  been  post! 
poned  indefinitely,  but  before  the  letter  reached  Kentucky 
the  Bishop  of  Bardstown  was  already  on  his  way  to  Balti- 
more.* 

In  June,  1812,  Congress  declared  war  against  Great  Brit- 
ain, and  the  country  was  filled  with  excitement.     While 
Protestant  ministers  in  some  parts  denounced  the  govern- 
ment in  their  pulpits  and  writings,  the  Catholics  everywhere 
manifested  loyalty  and  fidelity.     Though  personally  opposed 
to  the  policy  of  those  who  had  insisted  on  the  declaration  of 
war.  Archbishop  Carroll  lent  all  his  influence  to  support  the 
national  government.     When  the  President  appointed  a  day 
of  prayer.  Archbishop  Carroll  issued  a  circular,  in  which  he 
said  :  » In  compliance  with  this  recommendation  and  consid- 
ering that  we,  the  members  of  the  Catholic  Church,  are  at 
least  equally  indebf-d  as  our  fellow-citizens  to  the  Bestower 
of  eveiy  good  gift  for  past  and  present  blessings,  stand  in  the 
same  need  of  His  protection,  and  ought  to  feel  an  equal  in- 
terest in  the  welfare  of  these  United  States,  during  the  awful 
.crisis  now  hanging  over  them,  I  cannot  hesitate  to  require 
the  respective   clergymen   employed   in   the  care  of  souls 
throughout  this  diocese,  to  invite  and  encourage  the  faithful 
under  their  pastoral  charge  to  unite  on  Thursday,  August 
20th,  for  divine  worship,  most  particularly  in  offering  through 
the  ministers  of  the  Church,  the  august  and  salutary  sacrifice 
of  Grace,  the  Body  and  Blood  of  tiie  Lamb  of  God,  which 


'  The  first  action  of  the  Holy  See  In  regard  to  a  Provincial  Council 
seems  to  be  the  Brief  "  Xon  sine  magno  -  of  Pius  VII.,  August  8, 1828. 

« Archbishop  Spalding.  "Sketches  of  the  Life,  Times,  and  Character 
of  the  Right  Rev.  B.  J.  Flaget,"  Louisville,  1852,  pp.  106, 111-2. 


PASTORAL  OF  1814. 


657 


takes  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  to  implore  through  it  divine 
aid  and  protection  in  all  our  lawful  pursuits,  public  and  pri- 
vate, to  shield  us  in  danger,  and  to  restore  and  secure  to  u& 
the  return  of  the  days  of  peace  ;  a  happy  peace  in  this  life, 
and  above  all  that  peace  which  the  world  cannot  give."  * 

At  the  very  outset  of  the  war,  the  old  Catholic  city  of 
Detroit  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  English,  and  Kev.  Gabriel 
JRichard  was  carried  off  and  confined  as  a  prisoner.  For  a 
time  the  struggle  was  chiefly  on  the  northern  frontier,  but 
ere  long  British  vessels  began  depredations  on  the  shores  of 
the  Chesapeake. 

Yet  even  during  the  war,  when  distress  was  general,  there 
was  progress  in  the  diocese  of  Baltimore.  The  church  at 
Augusta,  Georgia,  was  completed  by  Kev.  R.  Browne,  who 
dedicated  it  to  the  service  of  God  on  Christmas  day."  The 
Catholics  at  Richmond  obtained  from  one  of  their  number 
the  gift  of  a  lot  for  the  erection  of  a  church  ;  they  appealed 
to  the  Archbishop  for  a  priest,  promising  to  bend  all  their 
energies  to  the  speedy  completion  of  the  sacred  edifice.' 

Amid  the  turmoil  of  war  came  the  cheering  intelligence 
of  the  fall  of  Napoleon,  the  liberation  of  the  Sovereign  Pon- 
tiff and  his  restoration  to  Rome.  On  the  7th  of  July,  1814, 
the  Archbishop  of  Baltimore  issued  a  Pastoral  to  his  flock. 

"  The  Holy  Catholic  Church,"  it  began,  "  has  mourned  for 
many  years  over  the  sufferings  and  captivity  of  her  visible 
Head,  the  successor  of  Saint  Peter,  and  Vicar  upon  earth  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Every  day  at  the  august  sacrifice  of 
the  New  Testament  we  offered  our  prayers  and  entreated 


'  Circular,  August  6,  1812. 

'  Rev.  R.  Browne  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  October  6,  1812 ;  May  24, 
1818. 

"  Catholics  of  Richmond  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  March  25, 1812. 
28* 


li 


v'i 


608 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Almighty  God  for  the  deliverance  of  his  servant  Pius  VII. 
and  for  the  renewal  of  a  free  intercourse  between  him  and 
the  Christian  people  committed  to  his  fatherly  solicitude. 
United  together  on  the  Lord's  day  we  repeated  with  re- 
doubled confidence  our  bumble  petition  that  it  would  please 
divine  GocJness  to  enable  our  chief  Pastor  to  feed  the  flock 
of  Christ  with  the  food  of  wholesome  doctrine  and  salutarv 
instructions  as  well  as  to  edify  them  by  continuing  to  exhibit 
bright  examples  of  patience,  resignation,  magnanimity,  and 
unlimited  confidence  in  the  promises  made  to  that  Church 
which  was  purchased   by  the  Blood  of  the  Son  of  God. 
Nevertheless  the  rigor  of  confinement  was  increased,  new 
obstacles  were  interposed  to  intercept  all  communication  be- 
tween his  Holiness  and  those  who  needed  his  paternal  coun- 
sels and  guidance.     Entire  regions  and  provinces  were  desti- 
tute of  any  pastors.     The  integrity  of  Catholic  doctrine,  the 
maintenance  of  ecclesiastical  discipline  were  exposed  to  the 
open  violence  and  hostility  of  their  declared  enemies,  and 
liable  to  be  imdermined  by  the  artifices  of  corrupt  seducers." 
He  then  depicted  the  exultation  of  the  infidels  and  enemies 
of  the  Church  as  though  they  had  made  false  the  promises 
of  Christ  to  His  Church.     He  showed  the  firm  and  unyield- 
ing constancy  of  Pius  VII.     "  Insults,  injustice,  oppression, 
spoliations,  banishment,  rigorous  imprisonment,  threats,  prom- 
ises have  had  no  effect  on  the  faithful  Vicar  of  our  Lord,  or 
on  his  venerable  Predecessor.     Perhaps  since  the  first  won- 
derful propagation  of  the  Christian  religion  and  its  rapid  ex- 
tension throughout  the  regions  of  the  then  known  worid,  no 
other  era  since  the  days  of  the  Apostles  has  exhibited  such 
splendid  proofs  to  revive  the  faith  of  the  wavering,  to  con- 
firm the  timid  Christian,  or  to  excite  in  mankind  generally 
a  certain  belief  and  reliance  on  the  promises  of  the  Saviour 
of  the  World."    The  bishops,  priests,  and  faithful,  put  to 


TE  DEUM''  FOR  PIUS   VII. 


659 


death  for  their  religion,  pleaded  before  God  for  His  Church 
and  the  preservation  of  its  government.  Their  prayers  had 
been  answered,  and  by  a  chain  of  events  the  divine  protec- 
tion of  the  Church  had  been  manifested  to  the  world  so 
strikingly  and  clearly  that  even  those  separated  from  the 
Church  could  scarcely  be  excused  if  they  failed  to  recognize 
in  the  restoration  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  the  finger  of  God. 
He  therefore  appointed  a  solemn  Te  Deum  to  be  chanted  in 
his  pro-cathedral  on  Sunday,  the  10th  of  July,  and  in  other 
churches  of  his  diocese  on  the  Sunday  following  the  recep- 
tion of  the  pastoral.' 

The  joy  was  general,  and  the  Te  Deum  was  chanted  in  all 
the  churches  as  soon  as  the  grand  pastoral  of  the  Archbishop 
became  known. 

But  while  this  hymn  of  thanksgiving  was  arising  before 
the  altars  of  the  Catholic  churches,  the  terrors  of  war  were 
turned  upon  the  shores  of  the  Chesapeake.  In  the  summer 
of  1814,  Washington,  the  capital  of  the  country,  was  taken, 
and  in  disregard  of  all  the  customs  of  civilized  nations,  the 
captors  destroyed  most  of  the  public  buildings,  the  library, 
and  archives.  Bishop  Neale  was  at  Georgetown,  but  that 
place  with  the  College  and  Visitation  Convent  escaped. 
*'  Georgetown  has  to  be  singularly  grateful  to  God  for  his 
extraordinary  protection,"  wrote  Bishop  Neale.  "  For  dur- 
ing the  enemy's  stay  and  rage  in  the  city,  not  one  of  them 
entered  Georgetown  or  injured  anything  belonging  to  it. 
Deo  infiuitas  gratias." ' 

The  aged  Archbishop  then  beheld  his  episcopal  city  in- 
vested by  the  enemy,  and  Fort  McHenry  bombarded.    But 


'  Pastoral  Letter,  July  7, 1814. 

'  Bishop  Neale  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  September  1,  1814. 


VM 


660 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


General  Ross  was  repulsed  and  killed  in  the  action  near 
Baltitnore,  and  the  British  forces  withdrew. 

In  October  the  English  vessels  were  committing  such 
depredations  along  the  Potomac,  that  services  were  sus- 
pended for  a  long  time  in  the  church  at  Newtown,'  On 
the  eve  of  All  Sainte,  a  barge  from  the  British  sloop-of-wur 
"  Saracen,"  landed  a  pillaging  party  at  St.  luigoes,  who  not 
only  stripped  the  residence  of  kitchen  and  bedroom  furni- 
ture, carrying  off  all  the  clothing  of  the  clergymen,  but  they 
extended  their  sacrilegious  hands  to  the  church,  seizing  all 
the  sacred  vessels  of  the  altar,  even  the  ciborium  with  the 
Blessed  Sacrament.  The  Commander  of  the  fleet,  however, 
when  an  appeal  was  made  to  him,  oidered  that  all  the  prop- 
erty should  be  restored,  and  much  in  fact  was  given  up  un- 
der a  flag  of  truce  on  the  18th  of  November.' 

While  Baltimore  was  menaced  by  the  enemy  Archbishop 
Carroll  ordered  p.  lyers  in  the  churches  to  implore  the  aid 
and  protection  of  God,  especially  for  those  who  were  called 
to  leave  their  homes  and  families  for  the  common  defence. 
"  Let  them  be  recommended  to  divine  mercy,  through  the 
intercession  of  the  ever  Blessed  Virgin,  the  Mother  of  our 
Lord,  as  the  chosen  Patroness  of  the  diocese,  not  doubting 
her  readiness  to  intercede  for  those  who  have  recourse  to  her 
in  the  time  of  their  need."  ' 

When  the  city  had  been  delivered  from  its  peril  the  Arch- 
bishop issued  a  Pastoral  appointing  solemn  services  of  thanks- 


'  Woodstock  Letters,  iv.,  p.  67. 

«  Rev.  Leonnrd  'Edelcn  to  Arclibi-shop  Carroll,  October  14,  November 
21,  1814.  Right  Rev.  B.  J.  Fenwick.  "  Brief  Account  of  the  aeftlenuiil 
of  Maryland,  with  a  notice  of  8t.  Inigoes."  Woodstock  Letters,  ix.,  pp. 
167,  etc.  ;  Attack  on  St.  Inigoes,  "  Amer.  Hist.  Reg.,"  December,  IHTi). 

•Circular,  1814. 


I 


DEATH  OF  BISHOP  EG  AN. 


661 


giving  in  the  churches  of  Saint  Peter  and  Saint  Patrick  on 
the  20th  of  October. 

After  visiting  his  diocese  Bishop  Egan,  on  returning  to 
Pliiladelphia,  found  the  trustees  of  St.  Mark's  pro-cathedral 
in  a  hostile  coinbination  against  him.  They  openly  vio- 
lated the  agreement  made  at  the  erection  of  the  See,  in 
which  the  expenses  of  consecration  were  to  be  met  and  a 
fixed  salary  paid.  As  they  did  not  even  possess  a  legal 
title  to  the  land  on  which  the  church  stood,  they  might 
therefore  be  ejected  by  the  real  owners  at  any  time.'  The 
good  Bishop  was,  however,  too  much  prostrated  and  dis- 
couraged to  enter  upon  any  struggle  or  litigation  with  the 
trustees.  The  troubles  they  caused  threw  him  into  a  nervous 
disorder,  which  was  heightened  by  their  pertinacious  annoy- 
ance. While  thus  suffering  in  mind  and  body,  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Harold,  priests  whom  he  had  stationed  at  St.  Mary's 
and  on  whom  he  relied,  increased  the  poignancy  of  his  trials 
by  their  ingratitude  and  insubordination. 

Crushed  by  accumulated  afflictions,  he  could  not  recover : 
his  health  never  rallied,  and  he  gradually  sank.  It  may  be 
gaid  in  all  truth  that  Bishop  Egan  died  of  a  broken  heart, 
July  22,  1814. 

By  his  demise  the  important  see  of  Philadelphia,  like  that 
of  New  York,  became  vacant.  As  no  regulations  had  been 
adopted  by  the  Holy  See  in  regard  to  nominations  for  sees  in 
the  United  States,  Archbishop  Carroll  felt  a  delicacy  in  thrust- 
ing unsolicited  his  views  as  to  suitable  candidates  on  the  au- 
thorities at  Rome,  although  it  was  soon  evident  that  no  such 

'  Bishop  Egan  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  September  14,  1810 ;  October 
14,  1811 ;  March  14,  September  28,  November  7,  December  17,  29, 1812  ; 
June  19,  July  7,  13,  28,  1813.     "That  he  has  been  the  first  victim  of 

Episcopal  rights  there  cannot  be  the  least  doubt for  his  end  has 

been  premature."    Rev.  L.  Kenny  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  July  22,  1814. 


St  !l 


662 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


considerations  of  delicacy  restrained  prelates  in  other  coun- 
tries from  interfering. 

On  the  23d  of  August,  1814,  he  addressed  the  following 
circular  letter  to  Bisliop  Cheverus  and  Bishop  Flaget : 

«Rt.  Rev.  Sik: 

"  The  lamented  death  of  our  venerable  Brother  in  God, 
the  R'  Rev.  D'  Michael  Egan,  Bishop  of  Philad",  on  thj 
22^'-'  of  July,  has  without  doubt  caused  you  to  reflect  with 
pain,  that  an  answer  has  not  been  received  to  our  joint  letter 
to  his  Holiness,  written  in  consequence  of  our  deliberations 
in  Nov'  1810,  concerning  several  points  for  the  future  gov- 
ernment of  our  American  churches,  and  especially  for  filling 
up  the  vacancies,  which  would  certainly  ensue  in  the  Episco- 
pal Sees.     That  of  New  York  has  been  long  vacant,  and  the 
same  has  lately  happened  to  Philad'.     You  may  remember, 
and  see  by  referring  to  our  proceedings,  chapter  4"',  that  we 
respectfully  solicited  the  permission  of  the  Holy  See,  (pro- 
vided it  would  permit  the  nomination  to  vacant  Bishoprics 
to  be  made  in  the  Cnited  States,)  to  allow  that  nomination 
to  proceed  solely  from  the  ArchbiEhop  and  Bishops  of  this 
Ecclesiastical  province. 

"  No  answer  having  been  received,  nothing  can  be  done 
authoritatively  in  this  matter.  Yet  the  condition  and  dis- 
tractions of  the  Church  of  Philad"  require  immediate  atten- 
tion. With  respect  to  N.  York,  it  has  transpired,  that  his 
Holiness,  whilst  prisoner  at  Savona,  soon  after  the  death  of 
D'-  Coneanen,  had  it  in  his  consideration,  to  appoint  a  Suc- 
cessor, but  it  being  uncertain,  whether  the  appointment  was 
made,  no  step  should  be  taken  in  that  concern,  till  we  hear 
from  Rome,  The  case  is  different  at  Philad"  for  the  rea- 
son alledged  al)ove,  and  tho'  no  nomination  can  proceed  from 
any  person,  or  persons  in  the  United  States,  yet  I  deem  it 


THE  VACANT  SEES. 


663 


advisable  to  consult  you  on  the  propriety  of  recommending 
one  or  more  subjects  to  the  Holy  See,  one  of  whom  may  be 
approved  and  appointed  to  succeed  D'-  Egan.  If  such  be 
your  opinion,  and  that  of  the  other  Bishops,  I  propose  more- 
over to  you,  to  inform  me,  whether  in  your  opinion  likewise  we 
may  not  proceed  immediately  on  the  business ;  transact  it  by 
letter  on  account  of  our  immense  distance.  The  mode,  which 
appears  to  me  the  best  suited  to  the  present  exigency,  is,  for  the 
Bishop  of  Boston,  the  Administrators  of  the  dioceses  of  N. 
York,  and  Philad",  the  Bishop  of  Kentucky,  the  Coadjutor 
Bishop  of  Gortyna,  and  myself  to  join  in  choosing  one,  two,  or 
three  persons,  best  esteemed  by  us  and  send  on  their  names, 
character,  &c.,  to  Rome,  with  our  respective  recommendation. 
Before  however  our  choice  be  completed,  I  must  request  your 
approbation  for  me  to  consult  the  most  discreet  and  experi- 
enced of  the  Clergy  of  Pennsylv"  as  to  their  opinions  concern- 
ing the  persons  who  will  appear  to  us  most  worthy,  and  fit  to 
govern  the  Diocess  with  advantage,  and  restore  its  peace. 
"  I  am  most  respectfully,  R.  R*"  Sir, 

"  Your  most  obed'  S'  and  B'  in  Xt.» 

No  name  was  mentioned  for  New  York,  as  that  nomina- 
tion was  8uppo^^ed  to  have  been  decided  upon.  Before  the 
appointment  of  Bishop  Concanen,  Dr.  Carroll  had  earnestly 
advised  that  no  one  sL-ould  be  appointed  to  that  see,  but  that 
the  diocese  should  for  the  time  being  be  placed  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  Bishop  of  Boston.  Bishop  Concanen  finding  the 
difficulty  of  reaching  his  see  almost  insurmountable,  had  pe- 
titioned the  Sovereign  Pontiff  to  appoint  the  Rev.  Ambrose 
Mardchal  as  Coadjutor  of  the  Bishop  of  New  York ;  and  as 
the  American  Bishops  cordially  welcomed  the  choice,  his  ap- 
pointment was  considered  as  settled.' 

'  Archbishop  Carroll  to  Rev.  C.  Plowden,  June  25,  1816.    "It  was 


«te 


UFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


As  to  v,>e  see  of  Philadelphia,  ^  rolibishop  Carroll  and  his 
Coadjutor  with  Bishop  CheveruM,  as  wdl  as  tlie  clergy  of  the 
diocese  of  Philadelpliia,  concurred  in  recommending  the  Kev. 
/ohn  B.  David,  wi  ^  learning,  piety,  firm  yet  amiable  man- 
ner, seemed  to  tit  him  remarkaWv  for  a  position  of  more  than 
i/r  'nary  difficulty. 

As  •*oon  as  the  Pope  was  restored  to  Rome,  Archbishop 
Carroll  wrote  to  express  the  congratulations  of  the  Catholic 
bishops,  clergy,  and  the  people  in  the  United  States.'  He 
also  urged  on  the  Propaganda  the  necessity  of  supplying  tlie 
vacant  sees,  and  repeated  the  well-considered  opinion  formed 
by  the  surviving  bishops  and  himself.  They  were  all  sur- 
prised to  hear  that  influence  had  been  exerted  at  Rome  to 
secure  the  nomination  of  the  Rev.  William  V.  Harold  for 
the  see  of  Philadelphia. 

The  danger  which  the  old  Maryland  priests  had  feared  had 
proved  no  delusion.  Bishops  and  others  in  Europe  were 
nrging  appointments  to  sees  in  this  country,  ignorant  of  the 
actual  state  of  affairs  and  of  the  qualities  required.  Arch- 
bishop Troy  of  Dublin  was  the  centre  of  these  movements, 
and  his  interference  can  be  traced  in  Canada  and  England! 
as  well  as  in  the  United  States.  The  nomination  of  Bishop 
Concanen  had  been  chiefly  on  liis  recommendation,  and  he 
now  advocated  the  appointment  of  his  fellow-religious.  Father 
Harold.     The  uncle  of  the  latter,  not  daring  to  return  to  Ire- 


known  here  that  before  tlie  death  of  Dr.  Concanen  his  Holiness  at  the 
Dr's  entreaty,  intended  to  assign  to  him  as  his  coadjutor  the  Rev.  Mr. 
^.'arechal,  a  priest  of  St.  Sulpicc,  now  in  the  Seminary  here,  and  worthy 
of  any  promotion  in  the  Church.  We  still  expected  that  this  monsi-re 
would  be  pursued  ;  and  therefore  we  made  no  presentation  or  ra:oii,. 
mendation  of  any  other  for  that  vacant  Si.'.." 
'  Archbishop  Carroll  to  Pope  Pius  VII.,  .July,  1814. 


EUROPEAN  INFLUENCE. 


665 


land,  induced  the  Archbishop  of  Bordeaux  to  join  in  recom- 
mending the  appointment." 

Archbishop  Carroll  and  Bishops  I''l  <?et  and  Clu  vems  saw 
with  gloomy  forebodings  their  advice  set  aside  at  Hume  In 
deference  to  that  of  prelates  strangers  to  the  country.  Their 
correspondence  showed  their  fears  and  anxiety.'  Dr.  Carroll 
wrote  to  Cardinal  Litta,  the  Prefect  of  the  Propaganda,  that 
in  case  of  the  appointment  of  a  priest  who  had  hastened  the 
death  of  Bit-hop  Egan,  "serious  dissensions  and  sece88ion.i 
from  the  Church  miglit  justly  be  apprehended,"  but  his  pro- 
phetic ntterances  were  disregarded,  and  though  the  nomina- 
tion of  Father  Harold  was  abandoned,  an  appointment  was 
made  which  was  followed  by  these  very  results. 

The  appointment  made  for  New  York  at  the  instance  of 
Archbishop  Troy  and  other  Irish  bishops  was  one  almost  un- 
paralleled. Tlie  choice  fell  on  the  Rev,  John  Connolly  of 
the  Order  of  St.  Dominic,  and  a  subject  of  George  III.  The 
United  States  and  Great  Britain  were  then  actually  at  war, 
and  no  country  in  Europe  would  have  failed  to  resent,  under 
similar  circumstances,  the  appointment  of  an  alien  enemy  to 
a  bishopric  within  its  borders  by  refusing  him  admittance 
into  its  territory.  The  nationality  of  Bishop  Concanen  had 
prevented  his  reaching  America ;  but  without  learning  expe- 
rience from  that  appointment,  the  authorities  at  Rome  com- 
mitted a  grave  national  discourtesy  in  electing  to  an  American 


'  Archbishop  Carroll  to  Cardinal  Litta,  November  28,  1814. 

'  Archbishop  Carroll  to  Rev.  C.  Plowden.  June  25,  1815.  "I  wish 
this  may  not  become  a  very  dangerous  precedent  fruitful  of  mischief,  by 
drawing  upon  our  religion  a  false  opinion  of  the  servility  of  our  princi- 
ples." Bishop  Chcvenis  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  M.iy  11.  1815.  "It  is 
cert  Mnly  astonishing  tli:\t  Prelates  in  France  or  Ireland  .should  recom- 
mend subjects  for  the  mission  here  and  be  listened  to,  rather  than  you, 
and  those  here  you  are  pleased  to  consult.  We  must  only  pray  that 
everything  may  work  for  good." 


666 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


^  the  subject  of  a  country  actually  at  war  with  the  United 
States,  and  whicli  had  just  laid  its  national  capital  in  ashes 

The  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Connolly  was  appointed  Bishop  of 
JMew  lork,  and  consecrated  on  the  6th  day  of  November 
1814.     As  a  British  subject  he  did  not  dare  to  come  to  the 
United  States  on  account  of  the  war ;  and  he  seems  to  have 
received  from  Bishop  Concanen,  his  fellow-religious  at  Rome 
and  from  those  who  secured  his  appointment,  a  prejudice 
against  Archbishop  Carroll  and  the  Bishops  and  clergy  iu 
this  country.     Bishop  Coucanen  had  taken  umbrage  at  the 
appointment  of  Father  Kohlmann  as  Vicar-General,  and  at 
the  establishment  of  a  Jesuit  college.     Bishop  Connollv 
seems  to  have  shared  the  same  feelings,  and  to  have  disap- 
proved generally  of  the  management  of  the  diocese  by  Father 
Kohhnann  as  Administrator.     So  far  as  can  be  ascertained 
he  did  not  announce  his  appointment  to  the  venerable  Arch- 
bishop or  his  fellow-bishops,  or  hold  any  communication  with 
them  or  the  Administrator  of  the  diocese  of  New  York.'    In- 
timations  of  his  views  evidently  reached  the  country.    Father 
Kohlmann  was  recalled  to  Maryland  to  become  master  of 
novices,  the  college  wa«  suspended,  the  Ursuline  nuns  pre- 
pared to  return  to  Ireland,  and  Bishop  Cheverus,  who  had  in 
his  charity  dedicated  the  new  cathedral  of  Saint  Patrick,  and 
frequently  administered  confirmation  in  the  widowed  diocese, 
felt,  when  the  news  of  the  appointment  suddenly  arrived,  as 
though  he  had  given  oflfense  to  one  soon  to  be  his  episcopal 
neighl)or  and  brother.' 


'  •'  Dr.  Connolly,  exceedingly  wanted  in  his  diocese,  is  not  yet  arrived 
nor  has  he  written  to  any  one."  Archbishop  Carroll  to  Kev.  C.  Plowden' 
July  24,  1815.  ' 

'  Bishop  Chevenis  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  May  9.  1815  "  Had  I  re- 
ceived the  news  last  week,  I  would  not  have  consented  to  give  confirma- 
tion here.      Same  to  same,  New  York,  May  1!,  1815.     Hishop  Plessis  of 


BISHOP  CONNOLLY. 


667 


Even  after  the  treaty  of  peace  signed  at  Ghent  had  been 
ratified  by  both  countries,  Bishop  Connolly  lingered  in  Eu- 
rope, and  finally  landed  in  New  York  unannounced,  and 
without  any  formal  felicitation  by  the  few  remaining  priests 
or  the  leading  members  of  the  laity.  He  might  even  then 
have  reached  Archbishop  Carroll,  but  did  not  attempt  to 
do  so.' 

In  the  troubles  which  environed  the  first  Bishop  of  Phila- 
delphia, Archbishop  Carroll,  who  esteemed  him  as  a  holy  and 
devoted  priest  and  bishop,  gave  him  all  possible  encourage- 
ment, sympathy,  and  support.  He  thus  became  obnoxious 
to  the  malcontents  there,  and  to  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Harold, 
who,  on  their  return  to  Europe,  spread  many  calumnies  about 
him  in  England  and  Ireland,  which  were  repeated  and  car- 
ried to  Rome.  Unfortunately  not  one  of  seven  or  eight  let- 
ters addressed  by  him  to  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  and  the  Con- 
gregation de  Propaganda  Fide  reached  Rome,  and  there  is 
evidence  that  the  authorities  there  had  imbibed  strong  prej- 
udice agpinst  the  venerable  Archbishop  of  Baltimore.' 

The  trustees  of  St.  Mary's  church,  Philadelphia,  addressed 
him,  after  Bishop  Egan's  death,  in  terms  of  such  rude  vio- 
lence, that  he  replied  :  "  Having  assured  you  that  I  had  no 
ordinary  right  to  interfere  in  the  administration  of  the  dio- 
cese of  Philadelphia,  during  the  vacancy  of  the  Episcopal 


Quebec,  who  visited  New  York,  deplored  the  condition  of  tlie  diocese, 
left  without  a  head,  for  Father  Fenwiclc  liad  really  no  authority  as  Ad- 
ministnitor,  and  neither  the  Metropolitan  nor  the  adjacent  Bishop  ven- 
tured  to  take  any  step  for  fear  of  giving  fresh  offense. 

'  "  The  Shamrock,"  the  only  Irish  paper  then  published,  November 
25,  1815,  expressed  apprehension  for  the  safety  of  the  ship  "  Sally," 
then  70  days  at  sea,  and  in  its  issue  of  December  2d  gives  his  name 
among  a  list  of  passengers  without  a  single  remark. 

'  Archbishop  Carroll  to  Rev.  C.  Plowden,  December  12,  1813  ;  Febru- 
ary 8,  1814 ;  June  25, 1815.    Cardinal  Litta  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  1815. 


668 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


See,  I  did  not  apprehend  that  any  further  application  would 
be  made  to  me  on  the  subject  contained  in  your  letter  of  the 
8th,  which  I  could  not  answer  before  this  day.     My  cond  ict 
has  been  too  much  misunderstood  or  misinterpreted  already 
to  leave  m  me  any  disposition  towards  a  further  discussion 
of  the  merit  or  demerit  of  former  proceedings ;  I  have  still 
less  inclination  to  notice  the  uncivil  and  unfounded  mmm-v 
tions  leveled  at  me  in  your  letter.     Correspondence  should 
cease,  when  it  is  no  lonprer  mutually  respectful.     It  is  a  satis- 
faction to  me  to  reflect  tiiat  I  was  never  wanting  designedly 
in  respect  for  the  persons,  who  have  waited  on  me  in  vour 
l)ehalf.» 

It  was  a  severe  trial  sent  by  Divine  Providence  to  prepare 
the  venerable  Archbishop  in  his  last  days  for  a  final  deUch- 
ment  from  all  worldly  things,  and  even  from  the  good  name 
acquired  by  many  years  of  faithful  service,  to  find  that  ii. 
England  and  Ireland  a  widespread  prejudice  had  been  cre- 
ated agfiinst  him,  and  that  even  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  with- 
drew his  confidence,  rejected  completely  his  counsels,  al- 
though shared  by  Bishops  like  Flaget  and  Chevenis:  in- 
deed the  hand  of  death  alone  saved  him  from  sharp  words  of 
censure. 

Amid  all  this  trial  Archbishop  Carroll  preserved  an  unal- 
terable calm,  relying  on  God  in  His  providence  to  guide  Ills 
Church  in  the  United  States  and  save  it  from  the  conse- 
quences of  human  passions  and  frailties. 

There  was,  however,  one  great  consolation  in  tliese  closing 
days  of  the  Archbishop's  life,  and  that  was  the  complete  res- 
toration of  the  Society  of  Jesus  by  Pope  Pius  VII.,  on  the 
7th  of  August,  1814.  The  news  came,  and  even  more  slowly 
came  the  Hull  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff.  "  You,  who  k.iow 
Kome,"  wrote  Archbishop  Carroll,  «  may  conceive  my  senti- 
ments when  I  read  the  account  transmitted  in  your  most 


SOCIETY  OF  JESUS  RESTORED. 


669 


pleasing  letter,  of  the  celebration  of  Mass  by  His  Holiness 
himself  at  the  superb  altar  of  St.  Ignatius  at  the  Gesu  ;  the 
assemblage  of  the  surviving  Jesuits  in  the  chapel  to  hear  the 
proclamation  of  their  resurrection  ;  the  decree  for  the  resti- 
tution of  the  residence  in  life  and  scene  of  the  death  of  their 
Patriarch,  of  the  novitiate  of  St.  Andrew,  its  most  enchanting 
church,  and  the  lovely  monument  and  chapel  of  St.  Staiiis- 
laus,  which,  I  fondly  hope,  have  escaped  the  fangs  of  rapine 

and  devastation But  how  many  years  must  pass  before 

these  houses  will  be  repeopled  by  such  men  as  we  have 
known,  whose  sanctity  of  manner,  zeal  for  the  divine  glory, 
science,  eloquence,  and  talents  of  every  kind  rendered  them 
worthy  of  being  the  instruments  of  divine  Providence  to 
illustrate  His  Church,  maintain  its  faith,  and  instruct  all 
ranks  of  human  society  in  all  the  duties  of  their  respective 
stations."  ' 

From  the  exultation  and  joy  of  the  members  in  this  coun- 
try, filled  with  new  zeal  by  this  official  recognition  of  their 
existence,  Archbishop  Carroll  augured  well  for  the  future  of 
religion.  The  novitiate,  removed  from  St.  Inigoes  to  White- 
marsh,  soon  had  eight  or  nine  novices,  showing  that  voca- 
tions would  not  be  wanting." 

He  and  his  coadjutor  would  gladly  have  laid  down  their 
mitres  and  croziers  to  assume  once  more  the  habit  they  had 
worn  in  their  youth,  and  relinquished  only  when  the  decree 
of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  required  it ;  but  they  were  both 
beyond  the  years  of  active  labor,  and  would  be  only  a  bur- 
then.    They  yielded  to  the  actual  condition  of  affairs, 

Georgetown  College,  under  the  impulse  and  guidance  of 
the  eminent  Father  John  Grassi,  had  risen  from  a  temporary 


i^i 


'  Archbishop  Carroll  to  Rev.  Marmaduke  Sloae,  January  5,  1815 ; 
Woodstock  Letters,  x.,  p.  112. 
'  Rev.  B.  J.  Fenwick  to  Rev.  J.  Grassi. 


I  Ml 


670  LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 

depression  and  attained  a  high  rank  in  numbers  and  etfi 
ciency,  and  the  Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  established  in 
1810,  gathered  the  best  scholars  in  that  society  which  has 
done  so  much  to  preserve  religion  among  the  young.  In 
May,  1815,  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  granted 
Georgetown  College  a  charter,  investing  it  with  all  the 
powers  of  a  University.' 

Active  steps  were  taken  to  extend  education  among  the 
poor,  and  a  striking  instance  was  the  organization  of  St. 
Patrick's  Benevolent  Society  at  Baltimore,  by  Rev.  John  F* 
MoranviI16,  to  maintain  a  school  in  that  parish.  St.  Patrick's 
school  preceded  all  public  schools  in  Baltimore.' 

The  condition  of  the  Church  in  Louisiana  had  caused  con- 
stant anxiety  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  and  even  after  he  had 
decided  that  the  Rev.  William  Du  Bourg  was  the  clergyman 
best  fitted  to  restore  order  and  discipline  in  that  territory, 
difficulties  intervened,  and  it  was  not  till  the  18th  of  August,' 
1812,  that,  under  the  powers  imparted  by  the  Holy  See' 
Archbishop  Carroll  appointed  him  Administrator-Apostolic 
of  the  diocese  of   Louisiana  and  the  two  Floridas.'    The 
Very  Rev.  Mr.  Du  Bourg  accepted  the  onerous  duty,  reliev- 
ing the  venerable  Archbishop  of  a  heavy  burthen.     He  pro 
ceeded  at  once  *  to  New  Orleans  and  set  to  work  to  continue 
tlie  work  effected  under  Dr.  Carroll's  administratorship  by 
his  Vicars-General.     The  new  Administrator  was  a  brilliant 
and  learned  man,  but  lacked  courage  and  firmness.    His  first 
steps  disappointed  the  Archbishop,  who  had  expected  him  to 
take  possession  of  the  Cathedral  and  assert  his  position  as 


'  Woodstock  Letters,  vli.,  p.  149. 

'  Scharf,  "  Chronicles  of  Baltimore,"  Baltimore,  1874,  p.  874. 

» Archbishop  Carroll's  Certiflcnto. 

*  He  left  Baltimore  October  18, 1813. 


V.  REV.  WM.  DU  BOURG,  ADMINISTRATOR.      671 

the  head  of  the  diocese.  The  Very  Kev.  Mr.  Du  Bourg 
contented  himself  with  obtaining  recognition  of  his  author- 
ity from  Father  Sedella,  and  did  not  even  attempt  to  say 
mass  in  the  Cathedral.'  He  drew  the  same  picture  as  all 
others  had  done  of  the  worthless  character  of  Sedella  and  his 
associates,  of  the  laxity  of  morals,  and  general  neglect  of  re- 
ligion among  the  people.  "When  he  proceeded  to  suspend 
the  most  scandalous  vicar  at  the  Cathedral,  such  violence  was 
shown  by  the  abettors  of  Sedella  that  the  Administrator  be- 
came alarmed  for  his  safety  and  withdrew  to  the  parish  of 
Acadie,  then  vacant." 

As  the  year  drew  near  its  close  the  British  land  and  naval 
forces  menaced  New  Orleans.  On  the  18th  of  December 
the  Very  Rev.  Administrator  issued  a  pastoral  appointing 
public  prayers  in  the  churches  of  New  Orleans,  and  directing 
all  to  implore  the  protection  of  heaven  "  while  our  brave 
warriors,  led  on  by  the  Hero  of  the  Floridas,  prepare  to  de- 
fend our  altars  and  firesides  against  foreign  invasion."  Gen. 
Jackson  expressed  his  high  approbation  of  the  course  of  the 
Administrator,  while  the  wretched  Sedella,  false  to  the  coun- 
try as  he  had  been  false  to  religion  and  morality,  had  in- 
trigued against  the  national  cause.' 

While  the  battle  was  raging  between  the  untrained  Amer- 
ican troops  and  the  English  veterans,  led  by  one  of  "Welling- 
ton's experienced  generals,  the  ladies  of  New  Orleans  gath- 
ered in  the  chapel  of  the  Ursuline  Nuns  before  the  picture 
of  "  Our  Lady  of  Prompt  Succor,"  and  as  their  pious  hearts 
ascribed  to  her  intercession  the  exercise  of  the  Power  that 


'  Very  Rev.  W.  Du  Bourg  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  February  29,  1818 ; 
August  17, 1813. 

•  Same  to  same,  .Tuly  2, 1814. 

'  "  The  Battle  of  New  Orleans,"  Baltimore,  1825,  pp.  23-27  ;  Gayarr6, 
"  History  of  Louisiana,"  New  York,  1866,  p.  154. 


i 


ircn^   /:j.Oy<>ur\r  r/truUi^. 


\.<HttJ*ani^ 


NoTRB    Dahb    dk    Promt    Skcouhs 

f-^ft'-  _^.   (jiut.  t/u      ^^Ji-ui^/      Ct-f^cw  i/e    /a-   jL^v/. 


(672) 


V.  REV.  WM.  DU  BOURG,  ADMINISTRATOR.      673 

turned  the  tide  of  battle  from  their  firesides  and  homes,  de- 
votion increased  so  much  that  the  picture  was  engraved  and 
indulgences  granted  by  Dr.  Du  Boarg  after  his  consecration 
as  Bishop  to  encourage  this  confidence  in  the  intercession  of 
Mary. 

After  his  glorious  victory  over  the  British  forces  under 
Packenham,  General  Jackson  addressed  the  Very  Rev.  Mr. 
Du  Bourg  to  ask  a  public  service  of  thanksgiving  in  the 
Cathedral.'  The  service  was  performed  on  the  23d,  the 
Administrator-Apostolic  meeting  the  victorious  general  at 
the  door  of  the  Cathedral  with  an  eloquent  address." 

All  this  gave  the  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Du  Bourg  oflJeial  recog- 
nition as  head  of  the  diocese  and  of  the  Cathedral.  He  soon 
after  prepared  to  go  to  Europe,  leaving  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sibourd 
as  his  vicar-general,  as  it  had  been  notified  to  him  that  he 
was  proposed  for  the  see  of  Philadelphia  if  he  declined  that 
of  New  Orleans.' 

After  his  departure  Sedella  again  showed  his  artful,  litig- 
ious character  and  persevering  opposition  to  a  due  submission 
to  any  ecclesiastical  authority.  Archbishop  Carroll  sustained 
Rev.  Mr.  Sibourd  and  addressed  a  letter  to  Gov.  Claiborne, 
assuring  him  that  the  Very  Rev.  Mr.  Du  Bourg,  in  appoint- 
ing Rev.  Mr.  Sibourd,  had  acted  under  the  direction  and  in 
full  conformity  with  the  rules  of  discipline  of  the  Church 
and  its  spiritual  government.' 

In  the  summer  of  1815  Archbishop  Carroll  showed  signs 


'  General  Jackson  to  Rev.  Abbe  Du  Bourp,  Janunrj'  19,  1815,  in  La- 
tour,  "  Historical  Memoir  of  the  War,"  Philadelphia,  1816,  p.  Ixviii. 

'  Address  in  Latour,  p.  Ixxi.,  etc.  ;  "  The  Battle  of  New  Orleans,"  pp. 
29-36  ;  Gayarrf',  "  History  of  Louisiana,"  New  York,  1866,  pp.  508,  etc. 

'  Very  Rev.  William  Du  Bourj;  to  Archbishop  Carroll,  April  21, 1815. 

*  Archbishop  Carroll  to  Very  Rev.  L.  Sibourd,  1815 ;  same  to  Governor 
Claiborne. 

29 


674 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. » 


of  increasing  weakness,  and  though  tlie  veneration  of  his 
fellow-citizens  induced  them  to  invite  him  to  lay  the  corner- 
stone of  the  Washington  monument  on  the  anniversary  of 
national  independence,  his  infirmity  compelled  him  to  decline 
the  honor.  He  was  taken  to  Washington  for  a  time,  but  re- 
turned early  in  July.  Though  his  health  was  evidently  fail- 
ing he  retained  his  cheerful  serenity,  and  continued  the  care 
of  his  diocese,  the  condition  of  the  affairs  of  the  Church  in 
Charleston  requiring  his  prudent  and  fatherly  action.' 

It  was  almost  the  close  of  his  official  life,  for  early  in  No- 
vember he  grew  alarmingly  ill.  The  best  medical  aid  was 
summoned,  but  it  was  soon  evident  that  there  was  a  general 
decay  of  the  vital  forces  arising  from  the  weakness  of  ad- 
vanced age.  When  his  recovery  was  despaired  of,  his  illness 
became  the  general  concern  of  the  city  where  he  had  so  long 
enjoyed  universal  respect,  veneration,  and  esteem.  On  the 
22d  of  November  the  whole  Seminary  attended  the  solemn 
administration  of  the  viaticum  and  extreme  unction.'  After 
receiving  the  last  sacrainents,  "  he  made  a  beautiful  and  pa- 
thetic address  of  tea  or  fifteen  minutes  to  them,  in  a  firm 
and  audible  voice,  perfectly  connected  throughout,  and  par- 
ticularly appropriate  to  the  occasion." 

A  few  days  after,  one  of  his  relatives  wrote  :  "  My  uncle 
had  a  better  night  than  liis  friends  and  doctors  were  appre- 
hensive and  afraid  he  would  have,  and  he  haa  been  more 
composed  and  in  less  pain  all  day  than  he  was  yesterday. 
These  are  all  favorable  symptoms,  but  the  physicians  do  not 
think  that  they  ought  to  shed  a  gleam  of  hope  upon  his  re- 
covery. Delusive  as  they  are,  however,  they  are  all  infi- 
nitely consoling  to  the  anxious  and  solicitous  friends,  which, 


'  Archblsllop  Ciirroll  to  Vestry  of  Charleston,  July  27,  October  28, 1815. 
'  Tessier,  "  Epotjues  du  Seininaire." 


HIS  DEATH. 


075 


it  would  seem,  from  being  at  his  house  one  day,  included  the 
whole  population  of  Baltimore,  who  are  constantly  calling  to 
inquire  about,  and  to  urge  for  permission  to  see  liini.  His 
mind  is  as  vigorous  as  ever  it  was,  and  whenever  any  person 
goes  to  his  room,  you  would  be  pleased  and  astonished  at  his 
readiness  in  adapting  his  conversation  and  questions  to  the 
situation  and  circumstances  of  the  person  introduced.  At 
times  he  is  not  only  cheerful  but  even  gay,  and  he  is  never 
impatient  or  fretful." ' 

When  one  of  the  distinguished  Protestant  clergymen  of 
the  city  came  to  take  a  last  farewell  and  said  that  his  hopes 
were  now  fixed  on  another  world,  the  dying  Archbishop  re- 
plied :  "  Sir,  my  hopes  have  always  been  fixed  on  the  Cross 
of  Christ." 

His  perfect  resignation  to  the  will  of  God,  his  calm  and 
serelie  faith  and  hope  were  seen  when  his  life  was  almost  at 
its  last  ebb.  The  clergy  in  attendance  were  consulting  in  an 
adjoining  room  on  tlie  last  rites  and  the  rites  of  burial  for  a 
prelate  of  his  exalted  rank.  A  book  was  required  which 
was  iu  the  room  where  he  lay.  One  of  them  very  gently 
entered  the  apartment,  but  Archbishop  Carroll  recognized 
the  step,  and  calling  the  priest  to  his  bedside,  told  him  that 
he  was  aware  of  his  object,  and  directed  liim  to  a  particular 
shelf  where  he  would  find  the  book  they  needed.  He  ex- 
pressed a  wish  to  be  laid  on  the  floor  to  die,  and  asking  to 
have  the  Miserere  read,  followed  it  with  earnest  devotion. 
He  was  conscious  to  the  end,  and  seeing  that  he  was  about  to 
depart,  he  inquired  if  a  conveyance  was  prepared  to  take 
away  his  sister  and  his  weeping  relatives.  He  told  them 
that  the  scene  was  about  to  close,  and  giving  them  his  bene- 
diction he  turned  his  head  aside  and  died. 

'  Brent,  "  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Most  Rev.  John  Carroll."  Balti- 
more,  1843,  pp.  207-8. 


676 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


Fortified  by  all  the  consolatious  of  the  Church  in  whose 
service  he  had  devoted  himself  from  youth,  Archbishop  Car- 
roll expired,  almost  with  agony,  on  Sunday,  December  3, 
1815,  about  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  masses  for  his  happy 
death  being  at  once  followed  by  the  offering  of  the  holy  sac- 
rifice for  the  repose  of  his  soul. 

The  heartfelt  grief  of  the  Catholics  was  shared  by  their 
fellow-citizens.     One  of  the  papers  of  the  city,  draped  in 
black,  the  next  day  expressed  the  general  sympathy  by  say- 
ing that  his  loss  would  be  "felt  and  sincerel-  lamented  as  an 
individual  loss  by  all  who  had  the  happini-s  to  know  hini 
personally,  for  it  was  indeed  a  source  of  real  hai)piness  to 
have  a  personal  acquaintance  with  a  man  so  truly  amiable."  ' 
On  Tuesday,  the  5th,  the  solemn  mass  of  requiem  was 
offered  in  St.  Peter's  pro-cathedral,  where  his  body  had  lain 
in  state.     His  funeral  drew  more  real  mourne-     thon  had 
ever  l)een  witnessed  in  Baltimore,  as  the  procession  moved 
through  Saratoga,  Eutaw,  and  Franklin  Streets,  amid  the  re- 
spectful silence  of  the  citizens,  who,  from  door  and  window, 
gazed  on  the  solemn  line.     His  body  was  laid  in  the  chajiel 
of  the  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice  in  a  vault  which  had  been 
prepared  in  the  choir  by  the  clergymen  of  the  institution  as 
the  resting-place  of  their  venerated  founder.  Rev.  i!r.  Nagot. 
The  cathedral,  begun  by  Archbishop  Carroll,  had  not  been 
comjileted,  and  his  remains  were  a  precious  deposit  at  Saint 
Mary's  till  the  anm'versary  of  his  death  in  the  year  1824,  when, 
after  a  solemn  iria^e  of  requiem,  they  were  conveyed  to  the 
cathedral  and  deposited  in  a  vault  beneath  the  sanctuary, 
after  another  solemn  sacrifice  for  the  repose  of  his  soul  in 
the  grand  structure  which  he  founded  for  the  glory  of  God." 


'  "  Federal  Gazette,"  DccemlH-r  4,  1815. 

'  "  Baltimore  American,"  December  4,  1834. 


ESTIMATES  OF  HIS  CHARACTER. 


677 


Sketches  of  him  appeared  immediately  after  hia  death  in 
the  papers  of  the  day.  His  life-long  friend,  Father  Charles 
Plowden,  wrote  another,  redolent  of  the  influence  of  his 
merit  and  virtue  ;  Robert  Walsh,  one  of  the  earliest  of  our 
Catholic  literary  men,  paid  an  eloquent  tribute  to  his 
character  and  work.  Others  committed  to  writing  their 
reminiscences  of  his  noble  and  beneficent  career,  wliile  broad- 
sides, with  a  biographical  sketch  of  his  life,  were  circulated, 
to  be  preserved  in  families  where  his  name  was  held  in 
veneration.' 

One  of  the  Sulpitians,  who  labored  in  the  East  and  the 
West,  wrote  of  Archbishop  Carroll :  "  A  pontiff  venerable 
by  his  age,  by  the  general  and  universal  esteem  and  venera- 
tion paid  him  in  every  place  and  by  every  one  without  ex- 
ception, retraced  and  revived  in  his  person  the  image  of  the 
Cliief  of  the  Apostles,  whose  authority  he  possessed,  as  he 
obtained  the  same  success.  I  often  beheld  him  surrounded 
by  his  priests,  whom  he  loved  as  his  children,  whom  he  re- 
spected as  his  worthy  fellow-laborers,  and  by  whom  he  was 
beloved  as  a  tender  and  beneficent  father."  ' 


'  I  have  used  Reminiscences  by  Robert  Gilmour,  Esq.,  and  by  George 
W.  P.  Custis,  Esq.,  adopted  son  of  Washington.  I  have  two  broadsides 
of  different  sizes.  The  biographical  sketch  in  the  "  Baltimore  Gazette" 
wa.s  copied  in  Thomas  O'Conor's  "  Shamrock,"  New  York. 

A  solemn  requiem  was  offered  for  Archbishop  Carroll  at  St.  Mary's 
church  on  the  22d  of  December,  the  church  having  remained  draped  in 
black  from  the  day  of  his  burial.  On  the  30th  of  January  a  solemn 
requiem  was  celebrated  in  St.  Peter's  church,  which  had  also  been  draped 
in  mourning  since  his  death.  The  pro-cathedral  was  crowded,  and  the 
priests  of  the  Seminary  and  many  others  attended.  Rev.  Mr.  Gallagher, 
of  Charleston,  preached,  taking  as  his  text :  "  Ecce  sacerdos  magnus,qui 
in  diebus  suis  placuit  Deo,"  which  he  very  happily  applied  to  the  late 
Archbishop.  On  the  21st  of  February  a  mass  was  celebrated  for  him  at 
St.  Patrick's  church.    Tessier,  "  Epoques  du  Seminaire." 

»  Dilhet,  "  Etat  de  I'Eglise,"  etc. ;  Avant  Propos. 


678 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


When  the  tidings  of  his  demise  reached  Rome,  Cardinal 
Litta  wrote  to  Archbishop  Neale,  expressing  his  profobnd 
grief  at  the  intelligence  of  Archbishop  Carroll's  death,  and 
the  gratifying  information  that  his  funeral  was  celebrated 
with  so  much  pomp,  and  attended  by  such  a  vast  number  of 
people  of  all  ranks  and  denominations,  who  thus  testified 
their  profound  regard  for  so  great  a  man.  and  their  grief  at 
the  loss  which  had  befallen  them. 

Posterity  has  retained  the  veneration  and  esteem  enter- 
tained in  this  country  for  Archbishop  Carroll,  and  the  calm 
scrutiny  of  history  in  our  day  recognizes  the  high  estimate 
of  his  personal  virtues,  his  purity,  meekness,  prudence,  and 
his  providential  work  in  moulding  the  diverse  elements  in 
the  United  States  into  an  organized  church.  His  adminis- 
trative ability  stands  out  in  high  relief  when  we  view  the  re- 
sults produced  by  others  who,  unacquainted  with  the  country 
and  the  Catholics  here,  rashly  promised  themselves  to  cover 
the  land  with  the  blossoms  of  peace,  but  raised  only  harvests 
of  thorns. 

With  his  life  of  large  experience  in  civil  and  religious 
vicissitudes,  through  whose  storms  his  faith  in  the  mission  of 
the  Church  never  wavered,  closed  a  remarkable  period  in  the 
history  of  the  Church  in  the  United  States.  In  1763  Cath- 
olicity was  apparently  crushed  never  to  rise  again  in  the 
northern  parts  of  the  Western  Continent ;  the  early  Catholic 
missions  in  the  north  and  west,  the  long-suffering  Jesuits 
and  their  flocks  in  Maryland,  all  seemed  menaced  with  ex- 
tinction under  the  triumphant  tyranny  of  Protestant  intoler- 
ance, to  the  human  eye  destined  to  banish  all  trace  of  Cath- 
olicity from  the  land  as  it  had  done  in  Florida. 

When  Archbishop  Carroll  resigned  to  the  hands  of  his 
Maker  his  life  and  the  office  he  had  held  for  a  quarter  of  a 
century,  the  Church,  fifty  years  before  so  utterly  unworthy 


THE  CHURCH  AT  HIS  D^^TH. 


670 


of  consideration  to  mere  human  eyes,  had  become  a  fully  or- 
ganized body  instinct  with  life  and  hope,  throbbing  with  all 
the  freedom  of  a  new  country.     An  archbishopric  and  four 
suffragan  sees,  another  >  iiocese  beyond  the  Mississippi,  with 
no  endowments  from  princes  or  nobles,  were  steadily  advanc- 
ing :  churches,  institutions  of  learning  and  charity,  all  aris- 
ing by  the  spontaneous  offerings  of  those  who  in  most  cases 
were  manfully  struggling  to  secure  a  livelihood  or  modest 
competence.    The  diocese  of  Baltimore  had  theological  semi- 
naries, a  novitiate  and  scholasticate,  colleges,  convents,  acade- 
mies, schools,  a  connnunity  devoted  to  education  and  works 
of  mercy ;  the  press  was  open  to  diffuse  Catholic  truth  and 
refute  false  or  perverted  representations.     In  Pennsylvania 
there  were  priests  and  churches  through  the  mountain  dis- 
tricts to  Pittsburgh  ;  and  all  was  ripe  for  needed  institutions. 
In  New  York,  Catholics  were  increasing  west  of  Albany,  and 
it  had  been  shown  that  a  college  and  an  academy  for  girls 
would  find  ready  support  at  the  episcopal  city,  where  a  Cathe- 
dral had  been  commenced  before  the  arrival  of  the  long-ex- 
pected Bishop.   In  New  England  the  faith  was  steadily  gain- 
ing under  the  wise  rule  of  the  pious  and  charitable  Bishop 
Cheverus.     In  the  West,  the  work  of  Badin  and  Nerinckx, 
seconded  and  extended  by  Bishop  Flaget,  was  bearing  its 
fruit.     There  was  a  seminary  for  priests,  communities  of 
Sisters  were  forming,  and  north  of  the  Ohio  the  faith  had 
been  revived  in  the  old  French  settlements,  and  Catholic  im- 
migrants from  Europe  were  visited  and  encouraged.     Louisi- 
ana had  been  confided  to  the  zealous  and  active  Bishop  Du 
Bourg,  destined  to  effect  so  much  for  the  Church  in  this 
country.     Catholicity  had  her  churches  and  priests  in  all  the 
large  cities  from  Boston  to  Augusta  and  westward  to  St. 
Louis  and  New  Orleans,  with  many  in  smaller  towns,  there 
being  at  least  a  hundred  churches  and  as  many  priests  exercis- 


680 


LIFE  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


ing  the  ministry.  CathoUcs  were  free;  the  days  of  penal 
laws  had  departed;  professions  were  open  to  them,  and  in 
most  States  the  avenue  to  all  public  offices.  In  the  late  T^ar 
with  England  they  had  shown  their  patriotism  in  the  field 
and  on  the  waves. 


ABCHBISnOP  OAKROLL.      FROM  THE   WAX  BUST  IN  TEE  BISHOPS- 
MEMORIAL  HALL,    NOTRE  DAME,   IND. 


INDEX. 


PASS 

AOADIANS 386,  642,  549 

Acadle,  La ...  671 

Adams,  President  John 438,  491 

Addiaon,  Jud);e  Alexander 450 

Albany,  N.  T .  .433-8 

Alcnian,  Father 543 

Alexandria,  Vu . .  76, 453-4, 480, 493, 513 

Allemangcl,  Pa 72 

Allan,  John 392-3 

Allen,  Col 183 

AUentown,  Pa 72,  162 

AluionaBter  y  Roxas,  Don.AndreD, 

560-1 

Angler,  Father  Robert 42,  533 

Angeollnl,  F.  Cajetan 319 

Annnpolii) 62 

Antiguu 651 

Antonelli,  Cardinal.. 223-4,  245,  251, 
272, 334-6, 337, 355, 567, 403, 475, 597 

Apoquiminlnk,  Del 454 

Appleton,  Consul 625 

Aqulu  Creek 86 

Arunda,  Count 565 

Arazcna,  Father  Joseph  de    .192,  546 

Art)  re  Croohe 103, 103, 108,  491 

Arnold,  Gen.  Benedict 169 

Articles  of  Confederation 845 

Arundell  of  Wardour,  Lord.. 43,  36.S, 

369 

Arzuqueyn,  Father  Francis 549 

Ascenfiion,  La 548 

Ashbey,  Father  James 61,  85 

Ashley,  John 639 

Ashtou,  Rot.  John. .  80,  197,  207,  238, 

241,  359,  801,  303-4,  308,  329,  334, 

875,  395,  397 

A '■sumption  (Sandwich) 474 


FA03S 

Assumption  Mission 66 

Asylum,  Luzerne  Co.,  Pa 447-8 

Attakapas 648-9,  579 

Aubert,  Rev.  Mr 565-6 

Aubry,  Gov ,041 

Augusta,  Ga 464,  657 

Augustlniana 425,  464,  637,  657 

Autnn,  Bishop  of 316 

Azara,  Nicholas  de 333 

Babad,  Rev.  Mr 600,  607 

Badin,  Rev.  Stephen  T.,380,  407,  409, 
456,  526,  528-9,  .531,  618,  0.54 

Ballly  de  Messein,  Rev.  Mr .    60 

Baltimore 7.5,  286,  394,  406,  413, 

598-603,  660 

Baltimore,  See  of 334 

Bandol,  Rev.  Scraphln. . .  .175, 198,  274 

Baudot,  Father  Seraphin 172 

Barb^-MarboiB,  Mr.. 215,  218-9,  243-3, 

266 

Barbuda 651 

Bardsto  wn.  See  of 620,  633 

Barlow,  Joel . .  480 

Baniabas,  Father 5.50 

Barrel,  Rev.  Mr 380 

Barret,  Rev.  Mr 407 

flarri^rcs,  V.  Rev 455 

Barry,  James,  508, 511,  514-5;  Cap- 
tain Jolin,  158;  Rev.  Mark,  563  ; 

Thomas 4.32 

Barry's  Chapel 515 

Baton  Rouge 191,  .546,  550,  .'S.57 

Bauman,  Charles 331 

Bayou  Lafourche,  La 649 

Beaduall,  Father  James 61 

Beauvats,  John  B 123 

mi) 


682 


INDEX. 


Bec-de-Ll6vre,  Canon 447 

Beeston,  Rev.  Francis... 238,  269,  370, 

291,  321,  357,  375,  395,  399,  407, 

499,600 

Bell,  Robert 139 

Benedict  XIV.  conflrms  jurisdic- 
tion of  Vicare-ApoBtolic  in  Amer- 
ica     51 

Beunet,  Patrick 600 

Berington,  Kev.  Joseph,  233 ;  Rev. 

Thomas 42 

Bernard,  Father 469,  544 

Betanh,  Rev 503 

Bibliography 139,  286 

Bishop,  appointment  of  a,  54,  56, 
57,  242;  petition  for,  326;  meet- 
ing to  elect,  334 ;  oath  of 405 

Bltouzcy,  Rev.  Mr 613 

Blake,  Charles,  308 ;  John 308 

Blue  Mountains 72 

Boarman,158;  Rev.  John, 80;  Rev. 
Sylvester.  .80,  207,  238,  259,  304, 

375,  395,  522-3 

Bocquet,  Father  SImplicius . .  103, 112, 

183-4,472 

Bodkin,  Rev.  Mr 453 

BoliL-mia,  Md.  27,  28,  63,  454,  513.  534 
Bolton,  Rev.  John... 78,  207,  259,  396, 

533 

Bonaparte,  Jerome 511 

Bonnet  Carr«5 548-9 

Bonvouloir,  Mr 471 

Boone,  Rev.  John 80,  204,  259 

Boreman,  Charles 422 

Borgia,  Cardinal  Stephen.  .824,334,537 

Borromeo,  Cardinal 210 

Boston.  .314,  390-2,  435-6,  509-511,  612 

Boston,  8cc  of sao,  622 

Bourke,  Rev.  Nicholas 429 

Boury,  Ret'.  D 497 

Boutin,  Rev.  Henry 607-8 

Bowling,  Charles 625 

Bradbury,  Judge 439,  440 

Braschi  Onesti,  Cardinal 343-4 

Brent,  153;  Chandler,  3<)H ;  Dan- 
iel, 28 ;  Miss  E.  C,  46  ;  George, 
;108;  Robert,  80,  44,  388;  Wlll- 
»««> 30,44,86 


MSB 

Briand,  Rt.  Rev.  J.  O.,  Bishop  of 
Quebec... 60,  104,  106,  107,  110,  118, 
119,  123-3,  127 
Brlef"DomlnusacRademptor"..38, 77 

Bristol,  Masti gjg 

Britt,  Rev.  Adam 524-5,  689,  655 

Brocadero,  Mgr 537 

BrogUe,  Father  de 502 

Brooke,  Baker 308,  383,  523 

Brookes 153 

Brosius,  Rev.  P,  X 434,  443-4 

Brouwers,  Rev.  Theodore 448-450 

Brown,  Father  Levinus 35 

Brown,  Rev.  R 464,657 

Bruges 35 

Bruin,  Brian 504 

Brut^,  Rt.  Rev.  Simon  G 399 

Brzozowski,  F.  Gen 525 

Buhot,  Rev.  Louis 58a 

Bull— 
Ex  HocApostollcaeServltutls..  387 

Ex  debito  Pastoralis  Officii 620 

Pontiflcii  Muneris 620 

BullUncb,  James 43« 

Burke,  Rev.  Charles,550;  Edmund, 
134;  Rt.  Rev.  Edmund,  474-480; 
Rev.  John,  414;  Rev.  Miehiiel..  365 

Burlington,  Vt 613 

Busca,  Most  Rev.  Ignatius 206 

Bushe,  Rev.  James  M 435,  492 

Byrnes,  James,  321 ;  Rev.  John, 
434;  Rev. 508-4 

Caffret,  Rev.  Anthony .MS 

Cahlll,  Rev.  Denis 287-9 

Cahokia..ll6,  119,  121,  123,  126,  183, 
188-9,  469,  470,  473-4,  488,  594 

Calvert,  Sir  George 47 

Camps,  Rev.  Peter 92,  198,  551-3 

CimtiUon,  Mr 592-3 

Capote,  Father  Francis  R 555 

Capuchins,  Louisiana.  .114, 412, 589-40 

Caresse 541 

Carey,  Matthew 375 

Carles,  Canon,  447-8;  Rev.  An- 
thony   463 

Curleton,  Guy 58 

Carlislu,  Fa 292,  462,  512 


I 


INDEX. 


683 


PASZ 

Carmelite  Nuns 383 

Carolina 31ft-7,  461-2,  651,  674 

Carondclet,  Baron  de 572 

Carr,  Rev.  Matthew 425-7 

Carroll,  Anne,  44 ;  Rev.  Anthony, 
80,  2C5 ;  Charles,  28,  75, 148,  308, 
348,  627;  Daniel,  sr.,  26,  30; 
Daniel,  jr.,  30,  148,  267,  345, 348, 
514-5;  Eleanor,  27,  44;  Ellen, 

44;  John 321 

Carroll,  Most  Rev.  John;  birth  of, 
27 ;  sent  to  Bohemia,  27 ;  at  St. 
Omer,  30 ;  enters  the  Society  of 
Jesus,   81 ;    ordained,   82 ;   re- 
nounces his  inheritance,  32 ;  at 
Liege,    32 ;   on   seizure  of   St. 
Omer  goes  to  Li^^e,  35 ;  makes 
a  tour  with  Hon.  Mr.  Stonrtou, 
86 ;  announces  the  suppression 
of  the  Society,  39 ;  arrested  at 
Bruges,  42;  goes  to  England, 
43;  returns  lo  America,  44,  80; 
at  Rock  Creek,  44, 85 ;  describes 
condition  of  Catholics,  48 ;  de- 
clines  to  join    association    of 
clergy,  85  ;  his  missions  to  Vir- 
ginia, 86 ;  accompanies  commit- 
sioners  to  Canada,  148 ;  returns, 
152 ;  attends  meeting  at  Whlte- 
mursh,2P7-8;  oneof  the  petition- 
ers to  the  Pope  for  a  Superior, 
209;  Letterof  Nuncio  to, 221;  ap- 
pointed Superior  of  the  Mission, 
223-4,  343-4;  controversy  with 
Wharton,  225-235 ;  signs  '  I  orm 
of  Government,'  238 ;  Circular, 
249;  addresses  Cardinal  Anto- 
nelll,251 ;  Relation  on  the  State 
of  Religion,  257 ;  announces  ju- 
bilee, 261 ;  begins  visitation  and 
gives  conflrmation,  273;  takes 
steps  to  found  Georgetown  Col- 
lege, 300,  etc.;  difficulty  in  New 
York,  323-6 ;  signs  petition  for 
Bishop.  326-9 ;  elected  for  See, 
334;  appointed,  336;  Bull,  337; 
signs   address    to   Waslilngtan, 
848;   his  Reply  to  "Liberal," 


PAGE 

352-3;   goes  to  England,  357; 
consecrated  at  Lulworth  Castle, 
359;    his  Seal,  365;    publishes 
Account   of   Establishment  of 
See,  366;  writes  to  the  Pope, 
366;  installation,  370;  encour- 
ages Carey's  Bible,  375;  accepts 
Sulpitianc,   377,  etc.;  limits  of 
diocese  defined,  882;  in  Boston, 
391-2 ;     correspondence     with 
Maine    Indians,    392-3;    holds 
first  Synod  of  Baltimore,  394-8 ; 
circular  on  Christian  marriage, 
398 ;  his  first  Pastoral,  399-401 ; 
attack  on  his  signature,  4U1;  his 
reply,   402-3;    his    Synod   ap- 
proved,   403;    coadjutor    pro- 
posed, 403-4 ;  Rev.  L.  Graessel 
nominated,  409;  in  Philadelphia, 
413;    serious    illness,    413;   his 
public  spirit,  413;  Rev.  Leon- 
ard Neale  nominated  as  coadj- 
utor, 413;  Trinity  Church,  Phila- 
delphia, 419;    Pastoral  •  Letter, 
420;    submission   of  Trustees, 
422;  St.  John's  Church,  Biilti- 
more,  erected   in   defiance  of, 
423;  he  is  prevented  from  enter- 
ing,  424;    enforces   his  right, 
424-5 ;  approves  Augustinlans, 
425 ;  receives  Prince  Gallltzin, 
443 ;  sends  him  to  Pennsylvania, 
446;    trouble    with    Rev.    Mr. 
Fromm,448;  his  authority  judi- 
cially sustained,  450 ;  at  Alexan- 
dria, 464;  sends  Rev.  Mr.  Ba- 
din  to  Kentucky,  455;  appeals 
for  Irish   priests,  457;   Lanten 
Pastoral,   458;   correspondence 
with    Bishop    Pefialver,    460; 
troubles    at    Charleston,   461 ; 
Letter  to  Bishop  Hubert,  466; 
tends  Sulpitlans  to  the  West, 
479 ;  the  Prefecture  of  the  Sci- 
oto formed,  480;  solicits  site  for 
church  in  Alexandria,  493 ;  vis- 
its   Ellzabethtown,     Pa.,    494; 
Conewago,    496;    circular   and 


>M 


4 


*: 


l\ 


-T'-^iMBaWaWt'glWTt-  T-^rWTif 


684 


INDEX. 


discourse  on  death  of  Washing- 
ton,   495-7;     pastoral    on    the 
yellow  fever,  498;  consecrates 
Bishop  Neale,  499;  takes  charge 
of   Natchez,    504;    visite    New 
England,  508 ;  dedicates  Church 
of  the  Holy  Cross,  Boston,  509- 
510 ;  marriage  of  Jerome  Bona- 
parte, 511 ;  correspondence  with 
Fr.  Qrubur,  General  of  Jesuits 
In  Russia,  517 ;  revives  Society 
of  Jesus,  522  ;  appoints  Fr.  Mo- 
lynoux,   Superior,  533;   begins 
Cathedral,  535;  urges  division 
of  diocese,  537;  visits  Fr.  Dlg- 
ges,  637;   appointed  Adminis- 
trator-Apostolic   of    Louisiana 
and  the  Floridus,  638 ;  consults 
the  Goveniment,  591 ;  appoints 
Rev.   John    Olivier   his    Vioar- 
General,  ■'•)94 ;  Sedella  refuses  to 
acknowledge  his  authority,  595 ; 
receives  a  brief  authoriiiing  him 
to  appoint  Rev.  C.  Nerinckx  or 
some  other  Admlnistrutor,  590; 
lays    the    comer -stouo    of   his 
Cathedral,  598 ;  of  St.  Patrick's 
Church,  FellV  Point,  603;  so- 
licits again  division  of  his  dio- 
cese, 603 ;  menaced  with  the  loss 
of  the  Sulpitlans,  606;  ordina- 
tions, 617;  proposes  names  for 
new  Sees.  617-8;  Bulls  dividing 
the  Diocese  and  erecting  new 
Sees,  and  ruising  Baltimore  to 
an  Archbishopric,  631 ;  death  of 
Blshoj)  Concanen,  bearer  of  the 
Bulls,    626;    delays,    638;     lie 
consecrates  Bishops  Cheverus, 
Egan,  and  Flaget,  639-632;  Pas- 
toral of  Archbishop  Carroll  and 
his  suflVagans,  633;  he  writes 
to  Philadelphia  churches  as  to 
support  of  Bishop,  637 ;  sends 
Rev.  Mr.  Sibourd  to  Louisiana, 
641 ;  Rev.  John  Du  Bois  founds 
Mount  St.  Mary's  College,  642 ; 
Mrs.  SetoD  and  the  Sisters  of 


vxnz 


PAOR 

Charity,    ftt,5-«51 ;    Archbishop 
Carroll  made  Administrator  of 
Dutch  and  Danish  West  India 
Islands,  651 ;  Charleston  affairs, 
651 ;    offlciateu  at  services  for 
Rev.    Mr.    Emery,   652;   corre- 
sponds with  English  Bishops. 
653  ;  invested  with  the  pallium, 
653;    the  new  dioceses  and  a 
proposed    Provincial    Council, 
654;    war  with    England,  656: 
Archbishop  Carroll's   circular, 
656;   Detroit,  657;  Pastoral  on 
the  restoration  of    Pope    Pius 
VII.,  657 ;  the  war  on  the  Chcs- 
upcake,  659;  St.  Inigoc.-  plun- 
dered,   660;    Pastoral    on    the 
peace,    660;    death    of  Bishop 
Egan,  661 ;  Archbishop  Carroll's 
circular  on  nominations  to  New 
York  and  Philadelphia,  663 ;  for- 
eign interference,  664 ;  appoint- 
ment of  Dr.  Connolly  to  New 
York,    066;    prejudice    created 
against  Archbishop  Carroll,  667 ; 
restoration    of    the    Society    of 
Jesus,  668 ;  he  appoints  V.  Rev. 
William    Du   Bourg    Adminis- 
trator o(   Louisiana,  67u;  sus- 
tains   Vicar -General    Sibourd, 
673;    last    illness,   674;    death, 
675;  funeral,  676;  estimates  of 

his  character 677 

Carroll's  Manor 413 

Carty,  Nicholas 391 

Cartwright's  Creek,  Ky 456,  534 

Casa  Calvo,  Count  de 584-7,  593 

Casas    Novas,    Father   Bartliolo- 

mew 9o_  193 

Casey's  Creek,  Ky 593 

Castelll,  Cardinal 60 

Castanedo,  Mr 593 

Catharine  of  Russia,  Empress 516 

Catholic  books 139 

Cuttelln,  Rev.  Mr 600 

Causae,  Father  J.  B.  (Fidentianus) 

2ftl,  394,  449 
Cedar  Creek,  Pa 71,  201 


INDEX. 


685 


PAGE 

Caloron,  Mr. 188 

Cerfoumont,  Key.  Stanislaus 395 

Cballoner,  Rt.  Rev.  RIcbard,  Bish- 
op ot  Debra,  V.  A.  of  London, 
50;  anxious  to  have  Vicars-Apos- 
tolic in  America,  56;  notifies 
American  Jesuits  of  the  sup- 
pression, 77 ;  death,  204 ;  books 

of 236-7 

Cbambersburg,  Pa 287,  446 

Charles  Edward 55 

Charles  III.  of  Spain 516,  551 

Charles  IV.  of  Spain.. .  .280,  562,  566-8 
Charleston,  S.  C. 316-7,  461-2,  651,  674 

Cbarleville,  Capt 189 

CharlottenburK,  N.  J 73,  164 

Chase,  Samuel 148 

Chestnut  Ridge,  Pa 448 

Cheverus,  Rev.  John... 408,  435-443, 
609-510,  612,  617,  6:il-2,  629-63.5, 
643,  615,  651,  653-655,  662-3,  665 

ChicolDeau,  Rev.  Mr 380f  407 

Chippewas 103,  477 

Cibot,  Rev.  Mr 454 

Clc6,  Mgr.de 216 

Cicotte,  Ziicharic 113 

ClquHrd,  Rev.  Francis  . .  .393,  407,  435 

Claiborne,  Gov 673 

Clark,  Danic',  504;  Gen.  George 

R 187-9,  485 

Clearfield,  Pa 446 

Clear  Spring,  Pa 451 

Clcary,  Rev.  Patrick 318 

Clement  XIV 88,  76,  77,  383,  516 

Clifton,  Lt.  Col.  Alfred 169 

CloriviSre,  Rev.  J.  P.  P 462 

Coffee  Run,  Del 454 

Cohansey,N.J 73,  203 

Colen^tn's  Furnace,  Pa 438 

Coles  Creek,  Miss 460,  504,  559 

Collet,    Father    Hippolyte,   112; 

Father  Luke 103, 113, 115,  133 

Concanen,  Rt.  Rev.  R.  L .  431, 619, 623, 
634-6,  627-630,  662,  666 

Concord,  N.  .T 73 

Couewngo,  St.  Francis  Regis  Mis- 
sion  68,  80,  390,  293,  611 

"Congress' Own"  144,268 


PAGB 

Connecticut 633 

Connolly,  Rt.  Rev.  John.... 619,  665-7 

Conrad,  Johan 422 

Consalvi,  Cardinal 519 

Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

345-8 
Constitutions  of  the  States,  Cath- 
olicity as  regarded  by l.')5-160 

Continental  Congress 136-7,  151, 

165-6 

Coomes,  William 271 

Cooper,  Francis,  162;  Rev.  8 647 

Corbie,  Rev.  Henry 31 

Cote  des  Allemands 541 

CottrUl,  Hon.  Matthew. .  .437,  441,  611 

Cottringer,  John 321 

Crosby,  Rev.  Michael 563 

Crakshank,  Joseph 140 

Cuddy,  Rev.  Michael 418 

Cullen,  William 140 

Cumberland 446 

Cyril  de  Barcelona,  Rt.  Rev. .  .543-570 

Dagobert,  Father 115, 139, 542-5 

Damurlscotta,  Me 437,  615 

Danville,  Ky  530-1 

Damall,  Eleanor,  37 ;  Henry,  37 ; 

John 308 

David,  Rt.  Rev.  John ...  .380,  407,  600 

de  Barth,  Rev.  Louis 429,  494,  611 

Deer  Creek 66 

De  Glesnon,  Chaplain 166 

De  Grey,  Sir  William 98 

Delaire,  Anthony 565 

de  la  Marche,  Abbess  Mary 412 

De  la  Motte,  Father  H 180-3 

de  la  Rochefoucauld,  Mother  C. 

la  Blonde 413 

de  Lavau,  Rev.  Louts  C 379,  395 

Delaware 158,252,623 

Da  risle  Dieu,  Abb^ 115 

Demerara 307 

Denaut,  Bishop 441,  489 

Denis,  Rev.  Joseph 557 

Do  Ritter,  Father  John  B.  .66,  71,  80, 
162,  260,  291 

De  Rohan,  Father  William 272 

Des  Rulsseaux,  Mr 47L 


I 


686 


INDEX. 


d'Estalng,  Count 178 

de  St.  Lue,  Mother 4ia 

Detroit... 104-112,  130,  188,  464-«,  474- 
480,  488-9,  657 

Devereux,  John 318 

d'Herm^ville,  Rev.  Morel 550 

Dickinson,  Rev.  Mother  Clure  J. .  383 
Didericli,  Rev.  Bernard.  .85, 146, 307-9, 
238,  242,  348,  259,  301.  305 
Didier,  Very  Rev.  Uoai.,  Prefect- 
Apostolic 481-2 

DiKges,  Rev.  Thomas 80,  341,  359, 

304,  375,  537 

DiKgs,  Geoi^e 308 

Dilhet.  Rev.  John.  ..Ill,  183,  361,  428, 
453,  489-491,  603-3,  609-611,  677 

Doe  Run 433 

Domenech,  Rev.  Ignatius  A 550 

Domlnicung 530-5 

Donegal,  Pa 428 

Dongan.  Gov.  Thomas 28 

Dourville 105 

Doyle,  Col 153 

Doyiie,  Rev.  Joseph 78,  375 

Du  Bois,  Rev.  John  .492,  511,  611,  642-7 

Du  Bourif,  Rt.  Rev.  William.  .408,  41.5, 

600,  603,  605, 607,  611,  640-1,  6J5, 

670-3 

Duch^,  Rev.  Mr 74 

Duffln,  Henry 267 

Dugnani,  Cardinal .S77 

Duhamel,  Rev.  .Mr 513,  643 

Du  Juunay,  Father. .99, 103-8, 108, 118, 

125 

Dulany,  Daniel 76 

Duiiand,  Father  Joseph  .Mary. ...  528 

Du  Portail . .  165 

Durosler,  R»>v 6I3 

EASTOfj,  B 73,  163,291 

Echenroth,  Henry 494 

Echevcrria,  Rt.  Rev.  James  Jo- 

si'Pli 543-4,665 

Eck,  Lieut.  John  P.,  169;  James.  321 

Edelen,  Leonard 635,  617 

Eden,  Rev.  Joseph 395,  494 

Egan,  Rt.  Rev.  Michael 500,  618, 

6!)9-635,  637-9,  653,  666,  661-2 


Egle,  John 49^ 

Elder,  Alexius ^43 

Ellzabethtown,  Pa 494 

EUing,  Rev.  William. ..396,  419-4,  427 

428 
Emerj',  Rev.  James  A..377,  407,  606-8, 

628,  652 

Ennis,  Rev.  Michael 414^  435 

Eplnette,  Rev.  Peter 534 

Emtzen,  Rev.  Paul 392,  428 

Esling,  Paul 33J 

Egpelota,  Col.  Jos^ jgj 

Esperanztt,  Father  Salvador  de  la..  191 
Ethcriugton,  Capt 103 

Fales,  Prof 630 

Falkner's  Swamp,  Pa 73 

Fargeon,  Mother  St.  Xavier 588 

Farmer,  Rev.  Ferdinand.. 61,  64,  68, 

74,  80,  168,  170,  197,  201,  341,  360^ 

281,  264,  370,  274-5,  378,  491 

Faure,  Rev.  Stephen 454 

Fell's  Point,  Baltimore..  417-8, 602,  606, 

612 

Fenwick,  Rev.  Benedict  J 52.5,  617 

Fenwick,  Rt.  Rev.  Edward  D. . . .  430, 

532-5 
Fenwick.   Rev.  Enoch,  525,  617; 

Cupt,  James ^^^ 

Ftirdinand,  Father 93 

Fesch,  Cardinal 624 

Fllicchi,  Messrs 623,  625 

Fish.  Jesse 90 

Fisher,  Mlers 411 

FlBhkill 202,368 

Fitzgerald,  Col 808,  493 

Fitzslramonft,  Rev.  Luke 4;i4 

FItzsImons,  ThomaB..317,  308,  321,  345, 

348 

Flaget,  Rt.  Rev.  B.  J.  .380,  407,  484-6, 

600,  618,  622,  634,  629-635,  «4'.',  647, 

653,  666,  662,  665 

Fleming,  Father  F.  A. . .  .8.V>,  a57,  894, 

410-413,  480 

Fllnn,  Rev.  Mr 432 

Floquet,  Rev.  Peter  R 150 

Florida 90,  98,  193-6 

Florissant,  Mo 638 


INDEX. 


687 


Floyd,  Rev.  John 879,  416-418 

Flynn,  Rev.  Mr.,  451;  Rev.  Thos.  595 

Font,  Rev.  Nurclssus 563 

Forjret-Duverger,  Rev.  Mr.  103, 114, 118 
"Form  of  Government"  adopted 

by  Maryland  clergy 207,  238 

Forrester,  Rev.  C 3«3 

Fort  Chartres,  103,  113,  116,  123, 
136;  Cumberland,  887;  Knox, 
487;  Manchac,  191;  Oulatenon, 
188;  Pnnmure,  191 ;  Stanwlx...  432 
Foumler,  Rev.  M.  J.  C. .408,  453,  456, 

526,539 

Frambach,  Father  Augustine,  61,  66, 

80,  87,  259,  287,  301,  310.  394 

Franelscans 90,  .500,  555-6 

Franklin,  Benjamin. .  .148,  152,  213-8, 
233,  237,  244 

Franklin  College,  Pa 295 

Frechette,  Rev.  P 474,  488 

Frederick,  Md..61,  66,  80,  310,  412,  511 

Fromentin,  Abl;^ 448 

Fromm,  Rev.  Francis 449-451 

Gaddi,  F.  Pius  J 532 

Gage,  Gen.  Thomas.. lOO-l,  115,  125, 

i;i2 

Galais,  Rev.  Mr 377 

Gallagher,  James,  140;  Rev.  8.  F.461, 

651 

Gallipolls 377,  455,  481-2 

Gallitzin,  Rev.  Demetrius  A 290, 

443-7,  512 

Galveston,  La 548,  550 

Qalvez,  D.  Bernardo. . .  .191-2,  546,  548 
Gardoqui,  Diego  de.  .265-8,  280-1, 324, 

330-3 
'  Gamier,  Rev.  Anthony.. 379,  395,  406, 

417-8,  606 

Gaston,  Mrs.,  318 ;  William 607 

Gates,  Gen.  Horatio 181 

Gauthey,  Dom 203 

Gelger'fl,  N.  J 164 

Geissier,  Father  Luke.  .68,  80,  338,  2(50, 
275,  278,  293 

General  Cliapter 207,  238,  301 

G^n^vaux,  Fr.  Hllaire  de.l29,  542,  545 
George  HI i;!7 


PAOB 

Georgetown,  D.  C.  .301,  306, 412-3, 616, 

659 
Georgetown  College 301,  etc.;  306, 

500-1,  513,  524-5,  604-5,  617,  669-«70 

Georgl,  Vincent 519 

Georgia 463 

Gerard,  Conrad  Alexander.. .  .165,  175, 

179 

Gerboy,  Rev.  Mr 5!i0 

Gerry,  Elbrldge 513 

Ghent 206,667 

Gh^qui^r.',  Charles 600 

Gibault,  Rev.  Peter  124-130,  132, 

186-190,  466,  469^71,  483,  544-5,  596 

Glmat 165 

Gladwin,  Major 103 

Glass  House,  N.  J 72 

Godet,  Angelique 113 

Goetz,  Rev.  John  N 419 

Gordon,  John,  90 ;  William 140 

Goshenhoppen,  St.  Paul's  mission 

at 68,  80,  162-3,  291-2 

Gothland,  N.J 73 

Gousy,  Rev.  Mr 494 

Graessel,  Rev.  Lawrence 270,  319, 

331,  357,  375,  395,  409-10 

Gra.s,  Antonio 504 

Grassi,  Father  John 669 

Grcenleaf's  Point 515 

Greensburg,  Pa 295,  449,  451-3 

Greenwich,  N.  J 203 

Greenwood  Lake;,  N.  J. .  .72,  164, 201-2 

Gruber,  V.  Rev.  Father 517-9 

Guntcmalu 580 

Gubernator,  John  1 291 

Gulgnes,  Rev.  Louis 545 

Guillet,  Rev.  Urban 528 

Haoan,  Henry 529 

Hagerstown,  .Md 287,  446,  512,  643 

Hull,  Francis 308 

Hamilton 188-9 

Hammctt,  Consul 625 

Hanley,  Capt.  Mathias 169 

Hanover ...  SOO 

Harding,  Father  Robert.. .61,  63-4,  68, 

74,  115,  655 

Hardin's  Creek,  Ky. 3T2,  436,  539 


688 


INDEX. 


Harold,  Father  W.  V. .  .631,  664-6,  667 

HarrlHburg,  Pa 43j 

Hart,  Dr.  George 271 

Hassett,  Rev.  T..   ..  275,  551-655,  661, 

581-5 

Hathersty,  Rev.  Joseph 31,  61,  73 

Havana,  Diocese  of 557,  561 

Haycock,  Pa 163,  291 

Hefleruan.  John 143 

Helbron,  Father  J.  Charles,  269, 
319.  418-9,  427;  Father  Peter, 

292,  357,  451 

Henry,  Fr.  John 5^4 

H(;rard,  Rev.  Mr. 651 

Hermun's  Manor,  Md 27 

Highlanders,  Catholic 78,  142 

Hilary,  Father 129 

Hobuck  (Hoboken),  N.  J 508 

Hojtan,  Patrick 140 

Holy  Cross  Church,  Boston 314 

Holy  Cross  Church,  Ky 456 

Holy  Mnry,  Ky 529 

Holy  Oils 197 

Holy    Trinity   Church,   Philadel- 

Pli'a 320,  414,  419-423,  525,  656 

Hookey,  Anthony 321 

Home,  Henry 321 

Hotker,  Consul 179 

Howard,  Gen.  John  E 600 

Hubert,  Rt.  Rev.  John  Francis ..  183-4, 
466-8,  472-5,  479 

Hucki,  Nicholas 163 

Hughes,  Felix 293 

Hunter,  Father  George.  .58,  61,  78,  a5, 
87,  196,  205 

Huntingdon,  Pu 44^ 

Hurioy,  Father  Michael 639 

Iberville,  La 546,  548,  .550 

Illinois,  Church  in. .  .100,  etc.,  186-190 
Innocent  XII.,  Brief  as  to  faculties 

of  regulars  ..   50 

Ireland,  reply  to  Bishops  of 635 

Jackson,  Gen.  Andrew 671 

James,  Sir  John,  of  Crishall 68 

Janin,  Rev.  Peter     483,  486,  583 

Jay,  John lag 


PAOB 

Jenkins,  Rev.  Augustine.  .80, 197,  259, 

375 
Jenkins,  Del 454 

John  Francis,  Father. 92 

Johnson,  Charles,  639 ;  Sir  Will- 

*"" 76,  142 

Johnstown,  N.  Y 433 

Jouly,  Rev.  Mr  513 

Junigal,  Ignace 494 

Kane,  Lieut.  Patrick 169 

Kaskaskia.  .114,  115,  121, 123, 135, 126, 

187-190,  474,  483 
Kuskaskias jgg 

Kavanagh,  Hon.  Edward.  ..441,  613-5 

Keating,  Father  Christopher  V. .  .355, 

375,  410,  430 

Kendall,  Rev.  Henry .    651 

Kentucky 371.2^  gog 

Kickapoos 2gg 

Kilmacduagh  and  Kllfenora 619 

Kilty 153 

Knebel,  Mathias 433 

Knell,  Ball  iiuzar 433 

Ko'ihnann,  Fr.  Anthony.  ..534-.5,  638, 

642,  6f.5,  662,  666 

Kosciusko i(j5 

Krebs  family 93 

Lacv,  Rev.  Mr. ,  166;  Michael, 492-3,51 3 

La  Fourche,  La , .  ,507 

Lafrenl^ro 541 

La  Grange,  Rev.  Joseph 414 

Lalor,  Miss  Alice. .  .  .415-6,  500,  503-4 

La  Lucerne,  Mr.  de 178 

Lamport,  Rev.  Michael 557 

Lancaster,  Pa.,  church  at,  63;  mis- 
sion of  3t.  John  Nepomucene, 

68,427-9 

Lancaster,  John 308 

Landais,  Capt.  Pierre 165 

Lfinlgan,  Bishop 415 

La  Poterie,  Rev.  C.  F.  de 314-6 

Latrobe,  B.  Henry 598 

Laussat,  French  Commiesiontr.  ..5:M, 

581,58.5-8 

La  Vollnl^re,  Rev.  Peter  Huet  de .  .14.5, 

264,  275,  277,  382-3,  431-2,  466,  474 

Laurence,  Mr I8I 


INDEX. 


689 


PAOB 

3, 1»7,  259, 
875 

454 

93 

win- 

...76,  143 

433 

518 

494 

...  169 
1, 135, 126, 
),  474,  483 
.  ..  188 
441,  61^-5 
•  V...355, 
),  410,  430 
.  .  651 
271-2,  623 

188 

619 

153 

423 

...  433 
^4-5,  628, 
S  662,  666 

165 

92 


PAOB 

Leamy,  John 238 

Lebanon 428 

LecUler,  G.  E 321 

Lecon,  M^r 463 

Le  Coataulx,  Lo'-is 433 

LeDru,  Rev.  F 471,  479 

Lefont,  Dr 188 

Lefrunc,  Father 99,  103, 107 

Leghorn 623 

Lehigh,  Pa 391 

Leniercler,  Rev.  Mr 461-3 

L'Enfunt  Major 5i:i 

Le  Molne,  Rev.  Mr ..  462-3 

Lennan,  Rev.  Francis  .461,  504, 550,559 

Leonard,  Fatlier  Frederic 61 

Lemoult,  R.  B Ill 

L'EspinusBU,  Rev.  Mr 598 

Lesslie,  Rev.  George 390-1 

Le  Tonnelicr  de  Coulonges,  Rev. 

L.  V 374 

Levadoux,  Rev.  Michael .  .379, 407,  483, 

485,  489-90,  606 

Lewis,  Father  John. .  .61,  66,  78,  304, 

207-9,  211,  318,  341,  344,  359,  3.33-3 

Lexington,  Ky 455-6 

Liberty,  Bbip 481 

Library  Company,  Baltimore 413 

Liege,  College  at  206 

Lilly,  Thomas 308 

Limestone  (Maysville),  Ky 455 

Llmpach,  Father  Bernard  de ftW 

Litta,  Cardinal 665,  678 

Little  Britain,  Pa  ..   438 

Littlestown,  Pa 390 

Livers,  Father  Arnold,  61,  78, 305; 

Arnold 601 

Livlnge'on, 238-390 

Lloyd,  T 375 

Lombardi,  Abh^ 625 

Lonergon,  Father  Patrick..  ..296,  452 

Long  Pond,  N.  J 72,  164,  303 

Looking  Glass  Prairie 528 

Lotbinlfire,   Rev.    Francis   Louis 

Chartfer  de 144 

Louis  XV 540 

Louisiana 538-547 

Louisiana  and  the  Floridas,  Dio- 
cese of 570-583 


FASK 

Lucas,  Rev.  John 78 

Lul worth  Castle 354,  359-363 

Lusson,  Rev.  Charles  L 460,  479, 

483,  582 
Lynch,  Domlnlck,  308, 348 ;  Major 
John 169 

McCarthy, Capt.,  189 ;  Denis....  455 

McElroy,  Rev.  John 525 

McGuire,  Capt.  Michael 153,  446 

Mcllroy,  Daniel 530 

McKcnna,  Rev.  John 142-3 

McNabb,  John 76 

Machias 179,  183 

Mackinac 102,  129,  130,  488-9 

Madison,  Jumes 591 

Maguire,  John,  143;  Rev.  Thomas, 

143 ;  Rev. 458 

Magunsbi,  Pa 73,  291 

Mahony,  Rev.  Cornelius 484 

Mahotifire,  Jean  de  la 374 

Maiden  Creek,  Pa 291 

Maine,  Catholic  Indians  In..  1.54, 179- 
182,  485-6 

Makennu,  Rev.  Constautlne 557 

Malev6,  Fr.  Francis 534 

Manchac,  La 548 

Manners,  Father  Matthew.  .61, 80, 145, 

205,454 

Manucy,  Rt.  Rev.  Dominic 194 

Mar^chal,  Most  Rev.  Ambrose.. 407, 
513,  606,  663-4 

Marietta,  0 455 

Marouex 43 

Marriage,  Circular  on 396 

Martinsburg,  Va 287 

Maryland.  .53,  60,  66,  69,  159,  161,  353, 

357,387 

Maryland  Historical  Society 413 

Maryland  Society  for  Promoting 

Useful  Knowledge 413 

Massachusetts 154,  156,  347,  622 

Mathews,  Rev.  Bemardina,  Aloy- 

sia  and  Eleonora 383 

Matignon,  Rev.  Fruncis  A. .  .407,  435- 
442,  508-510,  612,  614,  617,  645 
Matthews,  Rev.  Ignatius,  78, 197, 
307-9, 238, 343, 359, 301 ,  375 ;  Rev. 
William,  515,  617;  William 308 


I 


■^9'  '^  ''•; 


690 


INDEX. 


Mattlnglyo 153,  ai7 

Maxwell,  Rev.  James 583,  596 

Muysvlllo,  Ky 455 

Moatle,  (ieorge 308,  331 

Melwood,  Md 80 

Metohlirameas 188 

Meurlu,  Fr.  Sebastian.  .113, 118, 130-1, 
133,  187-180,  133,  180 

Mlamis-Pianghichlas 117 

Micniac  ludiauB 393 

Miguel,  Rev.  Xavier 493 

Milhet.   ,541 

Millard,  Joseph 308 

Mill  Creek  Hundred 454 

MlUtown,  Pa 453 

Mllner,  Rt.  Rev.  John 853 

Minghiiii,  Mi-s 447 

Minims' 412 

Minor,  Stephen  558 

MiiiDicans 93,  94,  193,  194,  5,53-3 

Miralles,  Senor 165,  177,  178 

Miro,  Governor 548,  557 

Missal,  ManuscWpt,  written  by  F. 

Theo.  Schneider 6,5-7 

Mitehcll,  Francis  J (JOl 

Mu'   le ;93,  191,  &4« 

Mohawk  Valley,  N,  Y 76,  143 

Molyneux,  Father  Robert.  .61-80,  197, 
338,  2()0,  370,  374-5,  303,  308,  331,  339, 
334,  375,  395,  533-6,  605,  617,  636-7 

Monely,  Rev.  Mr 513 

Monk's  Mound 528 

Montdesir,  Rev.  Mr 379 

Montgoltier,  Very  Rev.  Mr.. .  .104,  117 

Moranville,  Rev.  John 408,  603,  670 

More,  Mother  Mary 43 

Morel,  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop 90 

Morris,  Andrew,  509 ;  Father  Pe- 
ter  61,  80,305 

Mosley,  Father  Joseph.. 61,  63,  68-9, 

73,  80,  145,  161,  338,  313,  359,  396-9, 

308,  331-3 

Mosquito,  San  Pedro  de 553 

Mottin  de  la  Balme 165 

Moultrie,  Qor 193 

Mount  Hope 303,  279 

Mount  Oley 72 

Mount  St,  Bernard 418 


PAOB 

Mount  St.  Gothard 413 

Mount  St.  Mar)'«  College 643-4 

Moylan,  Col 153 

Muddy  Creek 293 

Naoot,  Rev.  Francis  C.  .378-9, 388, 395, 

493.  499,  600,  600,  609,  611,  643,  676 

Natchez.  .191, 433, 400, 504-7,548,557-9 

Natchitoches 548,  579 

Neale,  Rev.  Benedict,  78, 359;  Rev. 
Charles,  363, 383,  3*5,  533-3,  637; 
Rev.  Francis,  338,  363,  493,  535, 

655 ;  Captain  James 206 

Neale,  Rt.  Rev.  Leonard .  .306,  359, 361, 

303-4,  308,  375,  395,  413-6,  493,  498- 

500,  503,  517,  605-6,  616-7,  031,  a53, 

663-3,  678 

Neill,  Lieut.  John 109 

Neuy,  .Mr 41 

Nerinekx,  Rev.  Charle.s 537-9,  640 

New  Berne,  N.  C 318 

Ne  wburyport .    436* 

Newcastle,  Me 441,  613 

New  Hampshire 1,55,  633 

New  Jersey. .  ..54,  73,  158,  VH,  201,  633 

New  London 316 

New  Orleans 560-1,  578-597,  670-3 

Newport,  Md 63 

Newport,  R.  1 613 

Newtown  Md 63,  66,  73,  78,  660 

New  York... 73,  156,  364,  374,  383-4, 
333-6,633 

New  York,  Diocese  of 631-3 

Noailles,  Mr.  de 447 

Nogales,  Mii^s ,559 

Norfolk 493-.3,  513 

North,  Lord ],S4 

North  Carolina 160,  347,  463 

Northumberland,  Pa 453 

Norton,  Sir  Fletcher 98 

Notario.  Father  Francis 192 

Nowlan,  John 169 

Noyan,  Mr 541 

Nugent,  Father  Andrew.  .374-7,  383-4, 

333-6 

Oath  required  by  Quebec  Act ...  136 


INDEX. 


691 


O'Brien,  Rev.  Matthew,  430, 432-8, 
505,  509;  Father  WUUam,  310, 
315,  323,  332,  376,  429-430,  453, 

509;  Rev. «17 

O'Connell,  Father  John 267-8 

O'Conway,  CecUla (MS 

Oellers,  James 821,  422,  639 

Ogilvle,  Major 89 

Ohio,  Country  northwest  of  the .  .94-8, 
99,  180-190,  465-191 

O'Leaiy,  Father  Arthur 233 

Olivier,  Rev.  Douatien,  408,  488, 

488;  V.  Rev.  John  B.,  483,  .'594-5,  640 
Oneida,  Bishop  proposed  for — 378-4 
O'Neill,  Arthur  John,  140;  Ber- 
nard  308 

O'Neill's 454 

O'Neill's  VictoTj-,  Pa 448 

Opelousas 548-9,  579,  582 

Ordination,  First 409 

O'Reilly,  Alexander,  641-2;  Rev. 

Michael 551-3,562 

Orono,  Catholic  Chief 155,  304 

Ottawas. 477 

Ouachita , 579 

Ouiatcnon 137,129,465 

Our  Lady  of  Prom;  t  Succor 67t 


Paccanari,  Father 501 

Packenham,  General 673 

Palneourt  (St.  Louis) 126 

PaiiitForge,  Pa 72 

Pamphllo  Doria,  Cardinal . .  213, 221, 261 

Paradise 290 

Pasquler,  Rev.  M 518 

Passamaquoddy  Indiana. .   183,  892-3, 

407,  436-7,  612,  614-5 

Pastoral  of  the  Bishops,  1810. ....  633 

Path  Valley,  Pa 446 

Patriot,  1  he 480 

Patterson,  Miss 511 

Paul,  Emperor 516 

Paul,  Father. 92 

Payet,  Rev.  Louis 184,  469,  4r2-3 

Pellentz,  Father  James.. 61,  80,  260, 

269,  285,  292-4,  803,  808,  319,  375, 

394,  445,  447 

Pelllcer,  Francis,  198;  Rt.  Rev.  A.D  194 


Pefinlver   y   CArdenas,   Rt.   Rev. 

Luis 460-1,  604,  571-581,  585 

Penct,  Peter 373-4 

Pennsylvania. .  .52,  60,  63,  66,  68.  168, 

252,  257,  270,  291-2,  415-453 

Penobscots. .  .155,  369,  304,  486-7,  612 

Pen8acola...93,  192,  561,  563,  579,  585 

Peoria 137,  129 

Peorlas 188 

Perigiiy,  Rev.  M 418 

Perinault, 379 

Perrot,  Rev.  Mr 373 

Perrot's  Monstrance 107 

Perrysburj?,  0 477 

Petre,    Rt.    Rev.    Benjamin,   51  ; 

Lord lit® 

Phelan,  Rev.  Lawrence  8 451 

Philadelphia. .  .63,  68,  73,  170-177,  270, 
274, 319, 857, 413-4, 425, 524-5, 629-639 

PhUadelphla,  See  of 620,  622 

PhlllpII 30 

PhlUlbert,  Stephen...  115,  117,  186,  475 

Plankeshaws 188 

Pietro,  Cardinal  dl 628 

Pigeon  Hills,  Pa 609,  618 

Pikesland,  N.  J 72,164 

Pile,  Rev.  Henry 301,  259,  375,  395 

Plleserove,  N.  J 72 

Pilling,  Rev.  William 233 

Pinckney,  Charies 346 

"  Pious  Ladles  " 416,  500,  503,  616 

Pipe  Creek,  Pa 446 

Pittsburg 451,  453,  484 

Pius  VI 320,  330,  366,  516 

Plus  VII 516,  596-7,  621-2 

Plaqnemine,  La 549 

Plessis,  Rt.  Rev.  J.  0 641 

Plowden,  Father  Charies.  .42,  217, 
219,  247,  305,  333,  335,  359-361, 

677 ;  Edmund 808 

Plunkett,  Rev.  Robert 305,  604 

Plymouth,  Mass 436 

Polnte  Couple.  .461,  504,  516,  548,  550 

Poiret,  F.  Aloyslus 519 

Pompton,  N.J 203 

Pontbriand,  Mgr.  de 104. 117 

Pontiac 102,104 

Poor  Clares 412,  416 


693 


INDEX. 


"Pope  Day" 147 

Poplar  Neck,  Ky 45a 

Porro  y  Polnado,  Rt.  Rev.  Francis.  .Ml 

Por'alea 593 

Porter,  Rev.  James 359 

Portlcr,  Rt.  Rev.  Dr 590 

Portsmouth,  Va. 513 

Port  Tobacco 68,  196,  383,  445 

Potler,  Father  P 99,  104-5,  184 

Pottluifer's  Creek,  Ky.. 271-2,  456,  528 

Pottawatomles 477 

Powles  Hook  (Jersey  City),  N.  J..  509 
Prairie   du  Rocher,  St.   Joseph's 

Church  at 113, 115,  125,  483,  488 

Premlr,  Adam 320-1,  423,  839 

Probbt,  John 395 

Propaganda    Fide,    Congregation 

de 321,  223,  334,  33ft-7,  367,  414 

Proper  for  England,  discontinued.  404 

Prosper.  Father 549 

Provld.  lice,  R.  1 509 

Puliiski,  Count \^ 

Putnam,  Gen.  Rufus 4^1 

Qdarantotti,  .\Igr.  J.  B 597,  628 

Quebec  Act,  The 131,  etc. 

Queonstown (jg  f)9 

Quintanilla,  Father  Luis  de..  .543,  54.5, 

500 

Raisin  River,  Mich. . .  .464-8,  474,  477, 

479,489-90 

Raleigh,  N.  C 318,  462 

Reading,  Pa.,  Congregation  at.  .71, 162 

Reeve,  Rev.  Joseph 31 

Religious  Freedom 345-8 

Rendon,  Francis 17^ 

Reuter,  Rev.  Caesarlus 423-5 

Revillagodos,  Father  Angel  de. . .  .543, 

545 

Rhode  Island 161,  347,  622 

Richard,  Rev.  Gabriel.. .  .407,  485,  488- 

490,  >'>.57 

Richmond,  Va 492.  511 

Rich  Valley,  Pa 72 

RIngwood,  N.  J 72,  164,  :iO-.',  379 

Rivet,  Rev.  John. .  .408,  483,  486-8,  5.30 

Robin,  Abbd,  chaplain itv) 

Rocheblave,  Mr 120  1S7 


Rochon,  Augustine 549 

Rock  Creek 44,  86-9,  148,  373,  283 

RoeU,  Father  Lewis. . .  .61,  78,  307,  359 

Rohan's  Knob jgg 

Rolling  Fork,  Ky....!!'.'!l^['"'  456 

RoloU;  Rev. gj7 

Romagnd,  Rev ..sii,  671,  612,  614, 

616 
Roman   Catholic  Volunteers,   at- 
tempt to  raise 189^  170 

Rosseter,  Father  John 435 

Rough  Creek,  Ky 46fl 

Ronndstone,  Pa 451 

Rousse  or  Roelu,  Father  Charles. .    33 
Rousselet,  Rev.  Louis. 315,  ;«7,  ;}89, 391 

Ronx,  Rev.  Arnaud 316 

Royal  Irish  (18th) latj 

Rozaven,  Father 503 

Rozer,  Henry ...  308 

Rullner,  Simon 449 

R^au,  Rev.  Mr 31^.7 

St.  Anne's  Church,  Fort  Char- 

tros 115 

St.  Augnstine,  Fla 90,  194,  551-7 

St  Augustine's  Church,  Phlladel- 

P»>la.Pa 425-7 

St.  Bernard's,  La. 546,  550 

St.  Charles,  Acadia 549 

St.  Charles,  La 648,  582 

St.  Charles,  Mo 460,  483 

St.  Clair,  Gov 473 

St.  Bustutia,  W.  I 651 

8r.  Felix,  Rt- v.  Mr 377 

St.  Francis  Borgia  Mission,  White- 
marsh  gu 

St.  Francis  Regis  Mifi^ion,  Cone- 

»vago 68 

St.  Gabriel's,  Iberville 546-550 

St.  Genevieve. .  .114,  116,  126,  129,  456, 
469,  544,  548,  583 

St.  George'-  Island 196 

St  Iiiigoes,  .Mission  of  .66,  78,  83 

27.      uO 
St.  Jacques  de  Cabahannoc^,  La. 

548-9 

St.  James,  La .'>48-9 

St.  Jiiliii  Baptist,  La 548-9 


INDEX. 


693 


PAOC 

St.  John  de  Ci^vecoBur,  Hector. 866-7, 

279 
St.   John    Nepomncene   Mission, 

Lancaster 68 

St.  John'n  Church,  Baltimore.. .  .423-^ 
St.  John's  River. .  154, 179, 893, 555, 661, 

S<13 
St.  Joseph's  Catholic  Orphan  Asy- 
lum, Philadelphia 414 

St.    Joseph's    Church,    Philadel- 
phia  178,357,413 

St.  Joseph  Mission,  Deer  Creek...    66 

St.  Joseph's  River 137 

St.  Kltts,  W.  1 651 

St.  Landry,  La 583 

St.  Louis.  .116,  VM,  129,  544-5,  548,  582 
St.  Mary's  Chapel,  Baltimore.  .603,  676 
St.  Marj'g  Church,  Philadelphia.  ..68, 
ai»,  820,  357,  414,  418,  435,  667 
St.  Mary's  College  and  Seminary, 

Bultlmore 608-9 

St.  Mary's  River,  Pla 555,  561,  563 

St.   Michael's  Church,  Clearflcld, 

Pa 446 

St.  Monica,  Mother ■587 

St.  Omer 30,  31,  »t,  306 

St.  Patrick's  Church,  Baltimore. .  .406, 
417,  603,  630-1,  661 
St.  Patrick's  Benevolent  Society, 

Baltimore,  Md 670 

St.  Peter's  Ciiurch,  Baltimore.. 75,  85, 
386,  629,  631,  661,  676 
St.  Peter's  Church.  New  York... 384, 
333-0,453 
St.  PhUlppe,  Church  of  the  Visi- 
tation at 113,  116,  12«) 

at.  Pierre,  Father  Paul  de...im>,  364, 
371-3,  465,  467,  482,  .'>44,  550 

St.  Rose's  Church,  Ky .534 

St.  Stanislaus  Mission,  Fredirlck- 

town 66 

St.  Thomns  Manor iiJ,  78,  85, 534 

St.  Thomas 651 

St.  Xavler's,  Boh<-mla 68 

St.  Xavler's  Mis.*inn,  Newtown...    66 

Sakla 63 

Salamanca 567-8 

Salem,  Mass 436 


PiOI 

Salem,  N.  J 73 

Salmon,  Kev.  Anthony 408,  457 

Santa  Cruz 651 

Sargent,  Wlnthrop 507 

Sault  Ste.  Marie 491 

Savannah 463->S 

Savage,  Rev.  William 557 

Schneider,  Fattier  Theodore. .  .61,  64-7 

Schuyler,  Gen.  Philip 143 

Scioto,    Prefecture  -  Apostolic   of 

the 480-3 

Scioto  Company 455,  480-3 

Scott,  Gen.,  465;  William 504 

Sedella,  Rev.  Anthony.  .548, 589,  591^6, 

640,671 

Semmes 153 

Seton,  Mrs.  F..  A 643,  645-651 

Sdvigny,  Archdeacon  de 447-8 

Sewall,  Rev.  Charies,  80,  207.  317, 
359,  385,  304,  310,  375,  380,  395, 

533-3;  Judge 439 

Shade  Valley,  Pa 446 

Shepherdslown,  Va 387 

Shorb, 424 

Shorty,  Christopher 331 

Slbert  CornlUon,  Viscount 437 

Sibourd,  Rev 641,673 

Silva,  Jos(3  Ruiz  367 

Sinking  Valley,  Pa 446 

Slttenspergcr,  Rev.  Matthew 454 

Smith,  Joseph 291 

Srallhfield,  Va 288 

Smyfb    Rev.  Patrick 309-313 

Snyaii,       >scph 639 

society  of  the  Faith  of  Jesus 501 

Society  of  Jesus,  property  in 
France  confiscated,  34 ;  sup- 
pression of,  38,  77;  in  Maryland, 
77-9;  In  the  Mlssi  ippl  valley, 
130;  revived  in  Maryland,  522 ; 

restored 668 

Society  of  the  Sacred  Heart 501 

Song6,  Rev.  J,  A 437-8 

South    Carolina    establishes    the 

Protestant  Religion 160 

Spinck,  Rev.  James 525,  617 

Sportsman's  Hall,  Pa 449,  451 

Springfleld,  Ky 584 


i 


694 


INDEX. 


FAOB 

Stafford,  Rev. 434 

Standing  Stone,  Pa 892,  447 

Stanley,  Rev.  Thomas 363 

Stewart,  James 3(57 

Stillinger,  Michael 440 

Stone,  Rev.  Marmaduke  630-1 

Stourton,  Lord .Sfl 

Strickland,  Fr 601,  530-2 

Sullivan,   Atty.-Gen.,  489;   Gen- 
eral   181 

Sulphur  Springe,  Va 447 

8ulpltian8.377-395, 4955-9,  600-11, 673-6 
SjTiod  of  Baltimore,  First.. 394-8,  403 

Talbot,  C,  236,  375;  Rev.  John . .    69 

Talbot,  Kl.  Rev.  James 304,  335 

Talon,  Mr.  de 447 

Taneytown 390,  446,  512 

Tarunco,  A.  V 568 

Tennessee 633 

Terre  aux  Boeufs,  La 548-9,  581 

Tessier,  Rev.  John. .379,  395,  406,  600, 

603,611 

Thayer,  Rev.  John... 887,  300-2,  396, 

434-6,  489,  453-4,  457,  626 

Threlkeld,  John 412 

Thorpe,  Bev.  John. .  .312,  387,  341,  346 

Threln,  Jacob 831 

Thnrlow,  Loid 98 

Tieman,  Luke 601 

Tiers,  Comcllog 497 

Tinicum 71 

Tisserant,  Rev.  J.  8 438,  645 

Trappista 448 

Treaty  of  San  Ildefonso 581 

Trenton,  N.J  497,  508 

Trespalacios,  Rt.  Rev.  Joseph. 658, 569 

Trocouis,  Rev.  Francis .553 

Troy,  Archbishop. .313, 854-5,458, 475, 

477,  496,  664-« 

Tuckahoe,  62;  St.  John's  Mission  68-9 

Tulto,  Father  W.  R 688 

Tnltte,  John 808 

Tulloh, 879 

Tumbull,  Dr 93,  193 

Ulloa,  Antonio  de. . .  610 

Ulmer,  Frederic 168 


PAOB 

Unzaga,  Gov 544,  546 

Upper  Marlborough,  Md 87 

Ursulinos,  New  Orleans .  .646, 564- 
6,  587 ;  New  York 666 

Valentime,  Father 544,  646 

Valentin!,  Archbishop bOO 

Valeria,  Father  Stephen  de....l92,  363 

Var,  Ambrose 154 

Velez,  Father  Charles  de,  193,  646 ; 

Father  Peter ; 193 

Vergennes,  Count  de 216 

Vermont 633 

Viar,  Jos^  IgDucio 817 

Vicar-Apostolic  of  the  London  Dis- 
trict     60 

Vlcksburg,  Miss 460,  559 

Vidal,  Don  Jos^ 461 

Vigo,  Francis 189 

Villa  Gayoso,  or  Coles  Creek 460, 

504,559 
Vincennes,  115,  117,  137-8,  183,  186- 
190,  466,  469-471,  484,  530  , 
Virginia. 54,  86-8, 159,  252,  •.;57,  887, 347 

Vlrola,  Father  Maurice 638 

Visitation  Nuns 416,  500,  603,  616 

Volney,  C.  F 488 

Vonhuffel,  Rev.  James 395 

Vousdan,  Col.  William 504-7 

Walkbr,  Peter 604 

Wallis,  Rev.  Michael 563 

Wulmeslcy,  Rt.  Rev.  Charles.. 867-363 

"Walsh,  V.  Rev.  Patrick 584-591 

WaUh,  Robert 600,  605,  607,  677 

Waltmor,  Georgius 483 

Walton,  Father  James.  .61,  73,  78, 197, 
308-9,  338,  269,  373,  301,  375 

Waring,  Marsham 808 

Warwick,  N.  Y 379 

Washington,  George  . . .  .147,  326,  348, 

350-1,  486,  486-7,  495-7 

Washington  City,  D.  C. .  .508,  673,  659, 

673 

Washington,  N  C 818 

Washington,  Pa 461 

Watten 31 

Wayne,  Gen.  Anthony.  .465,  477,  484-5 


INDEX. 


695 


PASS 

Waynesburg,  Pa -153 

Weld,  Thomas 354,  367,  361 

Welton,  Rev.  Mr 59 

West  Alexander,  Pa 432 

WestmiuBter '-JOO 

Wharton,  Rev.  Charles  H 236-335 

Whelan,  Father  Charles — !i63,  265-7, 
272,  ^7ft-7,  281-2,  323,  433,  454-5 

Wheeler,  Ignatius 308 

Wheeling,  W.  Va 455 

White,  Father   Andrew,  48,  88; 

Rev.  Gregory 557 

Whitemarsh  Mission 66,  80,  307-8, 

334,513 

Wiergan,  Capt.  Nicholas 169 

Williinson,  General 505 

Willcox,  Mark 140,  308,  321,  454 

Williams,  Father  John 01,  73 


PAOK 

Williamson,  Dadd 600 

Wilmington,  Del 425,  454 

Wilson,  Father  Thomas 532-3 

Winchester,  Va 287,  513 

Wiscasset,  Me 439 

Wizard  Clip 390 

Yelverton,  Cai't.  Thomas 169 

Yorli,  Cardinal  of 37,  55 

York,  Pa 291 

York  River,  Pa 451 

Young  family 513-4 

Young,  Rev.  Nicholas,  515;  Not- 
lay,  308  ;  William 162 

Zamora,  Rct.  Peter  de 584 

Zefpedes,  Gov 55.5-7 

Zocchi,  Rev.  Nicholas 502-.M3 


1)1 


IH!.  J  "■Uli'.'J''JJ" 'iWJ-' 


